Researchers from Monash University and Southern Cross University in Australia have found that trees clean the air not only through their leaves, but also through their bark. Over five years, scientists collected tree samples from various ecosystems in eastern Australia, ranging from mangrove forests and wetlands to mountain forests. The analysis revealed that microbial communities living in tree bark are highly specialized groups adapted to life on tree surfaces and to using gases as a source of energy.

The study, published in the journal Science, showed that the bark of each tree is home to trillions of microorganisms that absorb greenhouse and toxic gases.

Trees contribute to climate regulation mainly through photosynthesis and the absorption of carbon dioxide. However, there is another layer to this process. Microbes living in tree bark actively consume methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and volatile compounds released into the air and from tree trunks. These gases, in turn, influence global warming and air quality.

The total surface area of tree bark on Earth is comparable to the area of seven continents. Across this vast expanse, microorganisms remove millions of tons of gases from the atmosphere each year, enhancing the climate impact of forests.

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