Warmer climate is making trees grow faster but weaker, and also affecting their carbon-absorbing capacity, according to an article published Wednesday on The Conversation, a non-profit media organization.

In the article, forest ecologists cited recent studies concerning how climate change is affecting the growing characteristics of trees and discussed the underlying negative impacts.

They found that trees in cold areas may enjoy longer growing periods as the temperature increases, but the trunks are weaker and may break more easily because of strong winds and other factors.

Trees are also found to be growing faster, with a growth rate up to 77 percent higher than in the previous century, according to the study. However, another study by the Technical University of Munich in Germany noted that as the trees grow faster, the density of the wood has dropped by 8-12 percent.

The researchers further pointed out that as wood density decreased, its carbon content also decreased by about 50 percent, suggesting that trees extracted less carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

In addition, another recent study discovered a link between growth and lifespan in trees: fast-growing trees have a shorter life expectancy.

The article predicts that as the globe warms, forests are expected to spread further globally, but at the same time, they are likely to take in less carbon.

Researchers concluded by once again appealing to the public to take actions to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change.

(Cover image via VCG)

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