In message , Peter Jason
writes
Since there is a small increase in CO2 levels
in recent times, why don't the forests of the
world grow faster to compensate for this?

For small increases in C02 levels, and everything else being equal, they
do. But in the same way as increased dissolution in the ocean, this only
reduces the rate of increase. If anthropogenic emissions were constant
CO2 levels would equilibriate at a higher level.

However, increased evaporation and transpiration may conspire to
decrease photosynthesis, by placing the plants under physiological
stress. For example, I read that, in the European drought of last summer
plants were a net source of CO2, not a sink.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley