New research shows how species boost the amount of carbon stored in their ecosystems – and why protecting them is vital, says Matthew Gould, CEO of the Zoological Society of London
just published in Nature. It makes the case that animals cause ecosystems to be more effective in storing carbon, through their eating, moving, trampling, diggingdefecating and building. Looking across a range of different studies, it concludes that wild animals account for only 0.3% of the carbon in the total global biomass, but can cause anywhere between 15% and 250% difference in how much carbon is stored in a given ecosystem.
We already knew that so-called “nature-based solutions” need to be part of any effective strategy to tackle climate breakdown. Reducing emissions is not going to be enough – we need to use the immense power of nature to remove carbon from the atmosphere and lock it up. But this new research carries important lessons for how we pursue these nature-based solutions.
First, nature works. Specifically, the complex mechanisms that nature has developed are startlingly effective in ways we do not yet fully understand – and we destroy them at our peril. It may well be sensible to try to develop new technologies to capture carbon, but it is definitely not sensible to ignore the proven ways of doing so that nature already gives us. We would do well to be a little less enamoured of our own ingenuity, and a little more respectful of nature’s.
This means avoiding the urge to go for quick and simple fixes of plant monocultures to sequester carbon, devoid of animals. The current emphasis for nature-based solutions is on the plants – restoring mangroves, kelp and seagrasses, for example. They are important, but can only be part of the answer. The Nature paper uses the example of the Arctic, where huge amounts of carbon is stored in the permafrost.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why do people crave the approval of an abusive or narcissistic parent?The TV show Succession highlights a struggle some adult children face: the need for approval from an abusive parent. So why don't they leave? It's rarely that easy, writes Gery Karantzas.
Read more »
Why Beijing raised the white flag in its trade battle with AustraliaFor all the anxiety over whether Australia could be drawn into a military showdown over Taiwan and the impact that may have, our dominance of the iron ore trade may provide a circuit breaker with China, writes Ian Verrender.
Read more »
‘It avoids a public grilling’: why Murdoch could settle Dominion’s Fox News lawsuitDefamation trial threatens billionaire’s reputation – as well as ambition to reunite TV and newspaper empires
Read more »
'Terrified': Why Meghan Markle turned down coronationThe controversial reason behind Meghan Markle's coronation absence has emerged as Prince Harry prepares for his solo trip to London.
Read more »
'Built for Origin': Why teammates are backing Graham for Blues call-upSouth Sydney Origin stars Cameron Murray and Damien Cook believe teammate Campbell Graham’s work rate and resilience makes him ideally suited for a place in the Blues squad.
Read more »
Why the 'wettest location in the world' yesterday was a small community in Arnhem LandThe remote community of Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory receives a downpour of 304mm in about 12 hours, as a tropical storm puts on an 'impressive' show for locals.
Read more »