For many years, we have known that trees are nature's champions at absorbing carbon dioxide.
For many years, we have known that trees are nature's champions at absorbing carbon dioxide. But now a groundbreaking international study published in Nature has discovered that tree bark surfaces are playing a crucial role in removing methane from our atmosphere.
The research, led by the University of Birmingham and also involving the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), has unveiled a fascinating process: microbes living in tree bark and wood are removing atmospheric methane on a scale comparable to, or even surpassing, that of soil. This discovery reveals that trees are 10 per cent more effective in combating climate change than previously thought.
To understand the global impact of their discovery, the research team used advanced laser scanning methods to measure the global forest tree bark surface area. Preliminary calculations suggest up to 50 million tonnes of methane are absorbed by trees annually. This is equivalent to eliminating all emissions from human landfills or nearly half of all global emissions from cows and sheep.
Read more at: UK Center for Ecology & Hydrology
Wytham Woods near Oxford was one of the study areas. (Photo Credit: Jackie Bowman CC BY-SA 2.0)
