In this lecture, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Geertje van der Heijden will explore the functioning of the carbon cycle and indicate its importance in mitigating some of the effects of human-induced increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

In particular, the lecture will provide a focus on the role of lianas (woody climbing plants) on the carbon cycle and balance of tropical forests.

Using examples from a large scale liana removal experiment in Panama, he will show that lianas severely reduce the ability of tropical forests to store and uptake carbon by decreasing tree growth and increasing tree mortality and demonstrate that an increase in lianas will potentially have global consequences for the rate of climate change.

If you have any queries about this event, please email the School of Education events team.

Schools are encouraged to bring A Level geography students to this lecture and are invited to attend a pre-lecture session at 4.30pm.

Join us to explore the laboratory facilities at the School of Geography. This guided tour will introduce you to areas where our students and staff carry out their research, and give you insight into the kinds of experiments you might find yourself doing at university.

If you wish to attend, please book tickets for this session separately to the main lecture.