**Trees' Hidden Heroes: The Surprising Role of Tree Bark in Absorbing Methane Gas**

Breath in deeply and discover the astonishing secret that trees have been hiding in plain sight. A recent study published in Nature reveals that tree bark surfaces play a crucial role in removing methane gas from the atmosphere, a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for around 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times.

The Unlikely Heroes of Climate Change

While trees have long been acknowledged as climate change warriors, thanks to their ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, this new research uncovers an additional, surprising climate benefit. Microbes living within tree bark can absorb methane from the atmosphere, making trees 10% more beneficial for the climate than previously thought.

Lead researcher Professor Vincent Gauci of the University of Birmingham notes, “The main ways in which we consider the contribution of trees to the environment is through absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, and storing it as carbon. These results, however, show a remarkable new way in which trees provide a vital climate service.”

A Global Methane Sink

The researchers investigated upland tropical, temperate, and boreal forest trees, taking measurements in tropical forests in the Amazon and Panama, temperate broadleaf trees in Wytham Woods, UK, and boreal coniferous forests in Sweden. The methane absorption was strongest in tropical forests, likely due to the warm, wet conditions that support microbial growth.

By studying methane exchange between the atmosphere and tree bark at multiple heights, the team found that while trees emit a small amount of methane at soil level, the direction of exchange switches at around 2 meters up, and methane from the atmosphere is consumed.

A Hidden Dimension

Using laser scanning methods, the team quantified the global forest tree bark surface area, estimating that the total global contribution of trees is between 24.6-49.9 Tg (millions of tonnes) of methane. This discovery fills a significant gap in our understanding of global methane sources and sinks.

Co-author Yadvinder Malhi of the University of Oxford notes, “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.”

Fighting Climate Change with Trees

The Global Methane Pledge, launched in 2021 at the COP26 climate change summit, aims to cut methane emissions by 30% by the end of the decade. Professor Gauci suggests that planting more trees and reducing deforestation must be key components of any strategy to achieve this goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do trees absorb methane?

Trees absorb methane through microbes living in their bark, which break down the gas and use it as energy.

How much methane do trees absorb?

Trees absorb between 24.6-49.9 Tg (millions of tonnes) of methane globally, making them a significant sink for this greenhouse gas.

Can we enhance trees' methane-absorbing abilities?

Researchers are now investigating ways to enhance trees' methane-absorbing abilities, but more research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this groundbreaking study reveals the astonishing, hidden role of tree bark in absorbing methane gas from the atmosphere. As we face the urgent challenge of climate change, it's crucial that we recognize the vital climate service that trees provide and work to preserve and expand our global forests.