Global warming threat seen in fertile soil of northeastern U.S. forests
Monday, June 11, 2012 - 20:30
in Earth & Climate
Vast stores of carbon in U.S. forest soils could be released by rising global temperatures, according to a new study. Scientists found that heating soil in Wisconsin and North Carolina woodlands by 10 and 20 degrees increased the release of carbon dioxide by up to eight times. They showed for the first time that most carbon in topsoil is vulnerable to this warming effect.