Microbial communities in carbon-rich soils demonstrate increased rates of photosynthesis in warmer conditions, indicating that current climate models might be overstating the total emissions projected from degrading landscapes as global temperatures rise.
As the planet experiences rising temperatures, vital ecosystems such as peatlands and permafrost are anticipated to release stored carbon dioxide at an accelerated rate due to changes in microbial activity within their soils. These environments pose a significant risk for future carbon emissions, with estimates indicating that the northern hemisphere harbors approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon in permafrost alone, while the world’s peatlands continue to play a crucial role in carbon storage.
