Why Do Forests Absorb More CO₂ at Night?

Trees are like people, they breathe during the day and at night, too. During the day, trees take in CO₂ like we do when we inhale oxygen. At night, while we sleep, trees still breathe out CO₂, but their breathing is slower and calmer, which means more CO₂ stays inside the forest, like a gentle hug from the trees at night.

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Examples

A tree in a forest breathes out less CO₂ at night than during the day, like a calm sleep.
Imagine your bedroom being filled with air you take in slowly while sleeping, that's what happens to forests at night.
A pine forest in the evening holds more carbon than it does during the bright morning sun.

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Categories: Environment · carbon cycle· photosynthesis· respiration· forests· climate change