Plants are absorbing more greenhouse gases than was previously thought, explaining the lower levels of carbon dioxide worldwide.

In the new study, a team of researchers led by Robert E. Dickinson at Austin's University of Texas attempted to explain why carbon dioxide in the atmosphere isn't rising at a faster rate. The new study was published in the journal, PNAS.

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By analyzing mesophyll diffusion, or the process of carbon dioxide diffusion inside leaves, researchers concluded plants are absorbing more greenhouse gases than they expected.

Current models miscalculated the amount of the greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide taken in by plants,. The study also suggests levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere worldwide are lower than forecast.

The study authors warned current models must be corrected to accurately predict the effects of climate change. They're still convinced these corrections it won't likely change the global warming predictions.

Researchers believe global earth system models overestimate the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by nearly 17 percent. They said that their new evaluation of plant absorption explains the gap.

Thus far, other researchers believe the new study provides fresh insights into how leaf structures can have a planetary scale impact. The study gives a potential explanation as to why current models can't estimate exact carbon dioxide growth over the past 100 years.

Having more carbon dioxide absorbed by plants helps slow down climate change.

"When it comes to controlling changes in CO2 in the atmosphere, nature is interesting but humans are in control; it's our problem and our choice," said climate scientist Peter Rayner.

Tagsglobal warming, Carbon Dioxide Increase, Plant Absorption