Boreal forests shade northern permafrost so effectively that summer thaw stays about one metre shallower; researchers estimate their canopies keep 59 billion tonnes of carbon frozen
Spruce and birch trees are seen tilting along the edge Stevens Pond on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Sept. 18, 2022. Thick green tree canopies across northern forests act as giant sunshields, keeping permafrost cool enough to hold 59 billion tonnes of carbon safely in the ground.The discovery reveals that the forest canopy…
