Arctic soils key to future climate

Ecologist Matthew Wallenstein studies Arctic soil, emphasizing its role in carbon storage. The Arctic's warming climate threatens to release stored carbon, impacting global climate. The tundra, rich in life, hosts microbes that release CO2. As permafrost thaws, these microbes may accelerate carbon release. Wallenstein's team, supported by the National Science Foundation, investigates this at Toolik Field Station. The Arctic holds more carbon than the atmosphere, and its release could affect global climate, fire intensity, and agriculture. Understanding these processes is crucial for predicting climate impacts.

What role does permafrost play in the carbon storage and release process?

Discuss the potential global impacts of carbon release from Arctic soils.