New research indicates that dead trees are piling up faster than they can decompose, creating a significant but volatile carbon store. While warmer temperatures generally speed up decay, the rate of tree death from drought, fire, and pests is currently outpacing the breakdown process. This accumulation is most prominent in boreal and temperate forests. The findings suggest a shift in how carbon is stored across different latitudes, highlighting the complex relationship between forest mortality and the global carbon cycle.
