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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Donna Lu

‘Wobbly’ moon probable cause of mass tree deaths in Australia, scientists say

Scientists believe the lunar wobble contributed to mass mangrove dieback in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 2015-16.
Scientists believe the lunar wobble contributed to mass mangrove dieback in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 2015-16. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

A wobble in the moon’s orbit around Earth affects mangrove cover across Australia and likely contributed to mass tree deaths in the Gulf of Carpentaria, new research suggests.

A study published in the journal Science Advances has found that an 18.61-year cycle known as the lunar nodal cycle shapes the condition of tidal wetlands.

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