New research published in Science reveals that tree bark hosts millions of microbes that can both produce and consume methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The balance between these processes varies by species, environment, and even time, with some trees acting as net sources and others as net sinks. This adds a new layer to how forests affect the climate beyond carbon dioxide storage. The findings suggest that natural ecosystems could play a role in removing atmospheric methane, but more work is needed to identify which trees and conditions favor methane consumption. The study highlights the complexity of forest carbon and methane cycles, which has implications for climate models and land-based mitigation strategies.
