Trees and climate change: bark also plays an essential role

It is now well known that trees are powerful allies in the fight against global warming. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and store vast amounts of it in the soil, thereby reducing the amount of greenhouse gases—substances that increase the Earth’s temperature—in the atmosphere. This is why reforestation is one of the most widely discussed strategies for mitigating climate change. However, recent research has revealed that leaves are not the only part of trees that absorb greenhouse gases: tree bark also plays a vital role by absorbing methane, introducing the research community to new, previously unconsidered possibilities regarding the role of natural ecosystems.



How tree bark stores atmospheric methane

It is not exactly the bark itself, but the microorganisms that live on it that do this important work. An international research team led by the University of Birmingham published a study in Nature revealing that communities of methane-consuming microbes living on tree trunks are indeed able to stimulate methane absorption.

To conduct the research, scientists analyzed different types of trees in various climates: tropical, boreal, and temperate. In particular, measurements were taken in the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Amazon, and Panama. The results showed that the absorption process occurs in all regions, but is most evident in tropical forests, probably because the climate promotes a greater proliferation of microorganism colonies on the bark.

We often hear about the harmful effects of carbon dioxide, but methane also plays a major role in global warming. In fact, it is the result of human activities such as intensive farming, the use of fossil fuels, and landfill operations. Methane generates more heat than carbon dioxide and is responsible for about 30% of global warming.

Forests are therefore once again proving to be the most powerful ally in maintaining climate balance: this discovery suggests that forests’ contribution is 10% greater than previously thought. The bark on trees worldwide is able to store between 25 and 50 tonnes of methane every year, and this new understanding has made the need for large-scale reforestation even clearer.

How you can help: drought-tolerant trees for your garden

Even those with a small garden can help reforestation in their own way. Adding small shrubs to your green space can be an excellent starting point, and if space allows, choosing a few fruit trees can make a difference. By selecting the most drought-resistant varieties, you can plant trees that fit perfectly into a dry garden. The most recommended varieties are figs, quince, and pomegranates, as well as, of course, olive trees. These valuable trees are also grown at BotanicalDryGarden because they are highly drought-tolerant. Finally, trees native to the Mediterranean scrubland also adapt well to low-water gardens and help reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere with their bark. Several evergreen broadleaf and coniferous trees are suitable options, including holm oaks, medlars, laurels, carob trees, pines, junipers, and cypresses.