Diversity Boosts Forest Carbon, Especially in Cold and Dry Places

Scientists examined 15 long‑term forest sites worldwide—from tropical jungles to Arctic woodlands—to understand how tree diversity affects soil carbon. By measuring the number of species present and the amount of organic carbon stored in the soil, researchers found a clear pattern: more diverse forests hold more soil carbon.

Key Findings

• Cold or dry climates strengthen the link
  In colder or drier conditions, decomposition slows, and a diverse tree community locks more carbon into the ground.

• Warm, wet forests see reduced benefits
  Faster decomposition in these environments can diminish the extra carbon that diverse trees might otherwise store.

• Functional traits matter most in dry sites
  In the driest forests, certain tree functional groups outperform others at retaining soil carbon.

Implications

Protecting a broad range of tree species is especially critical in cold or increasingly dry regions. Diverse forests not only sequester more carbon naturally but also bolster resilience against climate change.