The amount of tree biomass in any two given similar-sized areas is virtually identical, according to a new study by Karl J. Niklas of Cornell and Brian J. Enquist of the University of Arizona. Conventional wisdom answers yes, believing that equatorial and tropical regions have far more tree biomass than places like North America, Europe and Asia.
Conventional wisdom seems to be wrong.
Most people believe that tree biomass per unit area increases toward the equator and decreases rapidly toward the higher latitudes. We hope this study changes a common perception. The implications of the research are far-reaching in terms of plant ecology and evolution, says Niklas. Most people believe that forest biomass increases as you package more species into the same space. This does not appear to be true.