Boreal forests cool permafrost by 1°C and protect 59 billion tonnes of stored carbon

A new study has found that boreal forest canopies play a critical role in keeping northern permafrost approximately one degree Celsius cooler than it would otherwise be. This natural shading effect prevents soil from thawing and releasing stored greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Researchers noted that this cooling function has been significantly underestimated in existing climate models. The forests collectively safeguard an estimated 59 billion tonnes of carbon locked in the frozen ground beneath them. Scientists warn that deforestation in these regions could strip away a vital buffer against accelerating climate change.