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New study finds upland trees absorb methane from atmosphere

Pine trees in an Arizona canyon
Claire Caulfield/KJZZ

It’s common knowledge that trees convert carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen through photosynthesis. A new study reveals upland trees may play a big role in absorbing another greenhouse gas.

The study found that the bark on upland trees, such as pine and spruce, can absorb methane. Scientists estimate that methane is responsible for about 30 percent of global warming.

Northern Arizona University professor Alexander Shenkin helped with the study by using lasers to create 3-D models of trees.

“Then we use the satellite remote sensing to figure out how much forest there is in every bit of ground around the world," he said.

Shenkin says organisms within the tree bark are doing the heavy lifting.

“They take in methane, then when that bacteria dies and it gets consumed by other bacteria. It eventually turns into CO2," he said.

Shenkin says the study could make trees even more valuable in the fight against climate change.

"And because methane is such a powerful greenhouse gas, converting it to CO2 is a real win for cooling the planet," he said.

The study was published in the journal Nature.

Greg Hahne started as a news intern at KJZZ in 2020 and returned as a field correspondent in 2021. He learned his love for radio by joining Arizona State University's Blaze Radio, where he worked on the production team.