Global carbon cycle fluctuated in 2011

An international team of scientists found that the global carbon cycle experienced a shift in 2011, according to National Public Radio, with soils across the world taking up 40 percent more CO2 than usual.

Most of the uptake took place in South America, South Africa and Australia, researchers found. But surprisingly the increase occurred in areas that weren’t heavily forested.

Scientists say heavy rains in the southern hemisphere increased plant growth that spurred more carbon transfer to the earth. Full results of their study are published in the journal Nature.