The role of tropical forests in the global carbon cycle will be the topic of the next “Climate@Noon” seminar at Northern Michigan University. George Weiblen from the University of Minnesota will discuss the findings of a ForestGeo plot he established in New Guinea, an island in the southwest Pacific. The event is scheduled for 12 p.m. Friday, March 31, in 1318 Jamrich Hall.

ForestGeo, a network coordinated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, is monitoring 63 forest plots in 24 countries. Weiblen established the ForestGeo plot in New Guinea through a collaboration with indigenous landowners and citizen scientists. He is a professor of plant and microbial biology and director of the Bell Museum of Natural History

According to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute website, “ForestGeo conducts long-term, large-scale research on forests around the world to: increase scientific understanding of forest ecosystems, guide sustainable forest management and natural-resource policies, monitor the impacts of global climate change and build capacity in forest science.”

For more information, contact the Northern Climate Network at climate@nmu.edu.