> The leaves that make lianas ultra-efficient reflect more light and infrared radiation than tree foliage. > "Tree leaves tilt, allowing light to reach lower neighbors—even the forest floor gets some sunlight. But lianas leave almost nothing for others." But that seems like a mechanism that could help reduce rising temperature
> But that seems like a mechanism that could help reduce rising temperature Correct me if I’m wrong, but afaik higher reflection rates would exacerbate climate change, not help it. Absorbing that radiation kickstarts photosynthesis, which in turn uses captured CO2, therefore I’d expect the amount of sunlight reflected has a negatively inverse relationship with the amount of CO2 captured. I could very well be wrong, I…
The plant wouldn't survive if it reflected the 400-500 and 600-700 nm light. Note that I said "and"; there are plants that rely on a less-efficient 600-700 band; they are often reddish in appearance even when fully functioning. (The reddish color of dead autumn leaves is because the chlorophyll is more volatile, leaving only the red pigmentation responsible for the less-efficient means of photosynthesis.)