SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Trees' unexpected ability: absorbs methane

The trees' bark has an unexpected ability, shows new research in, among other things, Swedish forests. The discovery suggests that trees do the climate a greater service than previously thought.

» Updated: 03 September 2024, 10:19

» Published: 03 September 2024

Trees' unexpected ability: absorbs methane
Photo: Lars Pehrson/SvD/TT

Trees cannot only absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Now, researchers at Linköping University and the University of Birmingham have discovered that microorganisms in tree bark can absorb the even more potent greenhouse gas methane.

So far, it has been believed that only bacteria in the soil capture and break down methane, apart from the decomposition that occurs in the atmosphere.

The discovery, which was published in the journal Nature earlier this summer, means that the climate benefit of trees is 10 percent higher than previously thought, the researchers estimate.

Different types of forests

Markku Rummukainen, professor of climatology at Lund University, has read the study and thinks it is "solid".

"It includes measurements in both tropical forests, deciduous forests, and boreal forests, including in Sweden. All of them captured methane, but the effect was greatest in tropical forests", he writes to TT.

The fact that trees in the tropics absorbed the most methane is likely due to the microorganisms thriving in moisture and heat.

High up on the trunk

The new findings suggest that forest destruction accelerates climate change more than previously known, according to Patrik Vestin, a researcher in physical geography at Lund University, who did not participate in the study.

"It increases the importance of combating deforestation and both preserving and increasing the amount of forest, as a complement to reducing emissions", Vestin writes to TT.

The study includes measurements in tropical forests in Amazonas, deciduous forests in the UK, and coniferous forests in Swedish Skogaryd outside Vänersborg.

The researchers analyzed the methane exchange between the atmosphere and tree bark at different heights. At ground level, the bark emitted small amounts of methane, but higher up on the trunk, the gas was captured.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly
2 MIN READ

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"
3 MIN READ

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note
1 MIN READ

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice
1 MIN READ

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"
2 MIN READ

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö
1 MIN READ

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"
1 MIN READ

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms
1 MIN READ

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant
1 MIN READ

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"
1 MIN READ

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable
1 MIN READ

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.
3 MIN READ

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship
1 MIN READ

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children
1 MIN READ

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm
1 MIN READ

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm

Further No to Offshore Wind Power
1 MIN READ

Further No to Offshore Wind Power

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen
1 MIN READ

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable
2 MIN READ

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.
1 MIN READ

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.

Snow and strong winds – many households without power
2 MIN READ

Snow and strong winds – many households without power