A recent study has found that soil, river sediment, and dead vegetation are more effective at storing carbon dioxide than trees, challenging long-held assumptions about carbon storage on land. The research, published in the journal Science, revealed that most of the CO2 accumulated since 1992 was locked away as non-living organic matter in soil, deadwood, and reservoirs.
The study’s findings contrast with earlier estimates that living matter accounted for around 70% of the carbon stored on land. Instead, it suggests that terrestrial carbon storage may be more stable over time than previously thought. This new understanding is crucial for shaping future climate policies and improving the capture and storage of CO2 from the atmosphere.
The discovery also highlights the impact of human activities such as deforestation and wildfires on ecosystems, which can alter their capacity to store carbon. Some areas, like the Amazon, have shifted from being a sink to a source of CO2 due to climate change and land use changes.
As scientists continue to study Earth’s carbon stocks, this research underscores the importance of understanding how different ecosystems respond to environmental threats and changes in carbon storage. The findings have significant implications for climate policy and highlight the need for more accurate assessments of terrestrial carbon storage.
Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/soil-and-sediment-lock-away-more-co2-than-thought-study