Tree bark contains microbes that absorb methane from the atmosphere. Viswaprem Anbarasapandian – Unsplash
A recent study led by Professor Vincent Gauci of the University of Birmingham has revealed that trees may have a greater role in regulating climate change than previously understood. This surprising discovery stems from the finding that microbes residing within tree bark can absorb greenhouse gas methane at rates comparable to those living in soil. The study was published in the journal Nature.

Traditionally, soil has been considered the only effective terrestrial methane sink, with certain microorganisms using methane as a food source. However, this study suggests that similar microorganisms inhabit a tree’s layer of bark and can also effectively remove methane from the atmosphere.

The research team investigated various forest trees across different climates, including tropical forests in the Amazon and Panama; temperate broadleaf trees in the UK; and boreal coniferous forests in Sweden. They found that methane absorption was highest in tropical forests, likely due to the warm, wet conditions promoting microbial growth. This newly discovered methane absorption contributes approximately an additional 10% to the climate benefits provided by temperate and tropical trees.

The team also used laser scanning methods to quantify the overall global forest tree bark surface area. Preliminary calculations suggest that trees globally contribute to the absorption of between 24.6-49.9 Tg (millions of tonnes) of methane, significantly enhancing our understanding of global methane sources and sinks.

“Tree woody surfaces add a third dimension to the way life on Earth interacts with the atmosphere, and this third dimension is teeming with life, and with surprises,” said co-author Yadvinder Malhi of the University of Oxford.

This is not the first time scientists have made inaccurate estimations regarding climate change. For instance, climate scientists in the Netherlands recently discovered that previous estimates about how much plastic entered the oceans over the last 20 years were likely exaggerated by three thousand percent.

With this new discovery, it’s clear that our understanding of trees’ role in mitigating climate change has been significantly underestimated. So, let’s share this exciting news about the hidden powers of trees with our friends and continue our collective efforts towards a healthier planet.

Source: Good News Network