Recent studies have found that carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems is increasing by 30%, mitigating around 30% of CO2 emissions linked to human activities. However, researchers know little about the distribution of carbon between living and non-living pools.
The study, which analyzed global estimates from remote sensing technologies and field data, revealed that 35 gigatonnes of carbon were sequestered on Earth’s surface between 1992 and 2019. This accumulation has increased by 30% over the last decade, with forests accounting for only 6%.
Surprisingly, a significant proportion of terrestrial carbon sinks can be linked to human activities such as dam construction and timber use. The study also found that non-living carbon pools, including soils, wetlands, and bodies of water, are playing a larger role in carbon sequestration than previously thought.
The discovery is promising for mitigating climate change, but it highlights the need for comprehensive protection and more accurate carbon models. By expanding our understanding of how carbon accumulates in both living and non-living ecosystems, we can design strategies to preserve and enhance these critical carbon sinks for long-term benefit.
Source: https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/where-is-the-increase-in-carbon-sequestration-coming-from/56653