The Earth is breathing heavily – and that’s a problem

The ripple effects of rising global temperatures on Earth’s ecosystems extend to accelerated release of carbon from the soil, according to observations by US scientists.

Warmer temperatures are increasing the activity of microbes that feed on dead leaves and fallen trees, says a report published this week in the journal Nature by Ben Bond-Lamberty of the Joint Global Change Research Institute in Maryland, and co-authors.

When bacteria and fungi consume the decaying matter, they convert the carbon to carbon dioxide which is then released into the atmosphere. READ MORE…

Published in Cosmos Magazine