Plants are absorbing about 31% more carbon dioxide than previously estimated, according to new research published in Nature.

The study estimates Terrestrial Gross Primary Production (GPP) at 157 petagrams of carbon per year, up from the previous estimate of 120 petagrams.

The research used carbonyl sulfide (OCS) as a proxy to measure photosynthesis, which is easier to track than CO2 diffusion.

The study highlights the importance of mesophyll diffusion in understanding plant photosynthesis and carbon fixation.

Pan-tropical rainforests were found to be more significant carbon sinks than previously estimated, based on ground measurements.