How Trees Control the Weather

Trees emit monoterpenes, molecules that influence climate by forming cloud condensation nuclei. These emissions vary with environmental conditions, such as drought, and can affect local weather patterns. Research in controlled environments shows that different forms of alpha pinene, a type of monoterpene, are released at different times and under different conditions. This suggests trees play an active role in climate regulation, and understanding these processes is crucial for accurate climate modeling.

What changes in the release of alpha pinene were observed during drought conditions?

How do trees communicate with the atmosphere through monoterpenes?

Why is it important to understand the emissions of monoterpenes in the context of climate change?