Nitrogen fertilization could double growth rate of young tropical forests, boosting carbon storage

A groundbreaking field study in Panama reveals that tropical forests can grow twice as fast and capture significantly more carbon dioxide when nitrogen levels in the soil are enhanced. The research offers new hope for accelerating forest recovery efforts and maximizing their climate benefits.

Scientists conducted a seven-year experiment across 76 forest plots of varying ages, from recently abandoned pastureland to 30-year-old secondary forests, plus mature forest sites. Each plot received different nutrient treatments—added nitrogen, phosphorus, both nutrients, or no additions—to determine which factors most influence forest regrowth.

The results were striking: young forests showed the most dramatic response to nitrogen supplementation, with growth rates doubling during the critical first decade of recovery. “In the first 10 years of forest recovery, the forests grow back about twice as fast when they have sufficient nitrogen,” explained lead researcher Sarah Batterman. This accelerated growth translates directly into enhanced carbon sequestration, as faster-growing trees pull more climate-warming CO2 from the atmosphere.

The findings could reshape forest restoration strategies worldwide. “With this information we can prioritize management and conservation practices to maximize forest regrowth,” noted Kelly Anderson, a research scientist at Missouri Botanical Garden who was not involved in the study. As countries and organizations invest billions in reforestation efforts to combat climate change, understanding how to optimize forest growth through targeted nutrient management could significantly amplify these conservation investments’ impact on both biodiversity recovery and carbon storage.