A recent study reveals that over one-third of the Arctic's tundra, forests, and wetlands have transitioned from carbon sinks to net sources of carbon emissions as global temperatures rise. While Arctic ecosystems traditionally stored vast amounts of carbon, the permafrost is now thawing, leading to increased CO2 emissions. The study utilized data from 200 sites between 1990 and 2020, highlighting significant changes in the landscape, despite some areas appearing greener due to plant growth. This trend raises alarms concerning the future of natural carbon sinks and their role in regulating global climate.
A third of the Arctic's tundra, forests and wetlands have become a source of carbon emissions as global heating ends thousands of years of carbon storage.
This shift is occurring despite the Arctic becoming greener; upon thawing, plants may grow, but permafrost continues to melt and microbes take over.
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