News Climate

Some leaves in tropical forests may be getting too hot for photosynthesis

As the Earth continues to warm, more leaves hitting their heat limit could threaten forests

photo of large leaves from a tropical plant taken from below the forest canopy

When leaves get too hot, the proteins that convert light energy into sugars stop working.

Buena Vista Images/Photodisc/Getty Images Plus

By Nikk Ogasa

Like people, leaves have their limits when it comes to heat.

Scientists first reported in 1864 that the leaves of some plants could survive up to 50° Celsius, only to perish beyond that threshold. More than 150 years later, researchers are making similar findings.