Nature Also Protects Us

A research report in Science indicates that there are actually microbes in tree bark that absorb what could be harmful to humans and other living things. These include: methane; hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

I always knew that having trees in our environment in cities is a good plan but this backs up the necessity to do so more than ever. Think of all that carbon monoxide exuded from vehicles and buildings. I think we are on to something here.

It is also ironic that we know so little about the bark of trees and it took a long study on methane to make us aware of this possibility. Since global warming is a huge concern, scientists needed to know the sources of methane which is as bad as carbon dioxide in the environment to increase issues.

Methane can be found emitting from lakes, bogs and wet vegetation like wetlands. It was while the scientists were searching Amazon waters for methane that they came across trees leaking the gas. That would have not been so evident if the amount coming from the river was half what it should be.

Deeper investigation led to the answer. Not only that, more than a third of the gas was being consumed by the microbes in the bark. That did not account for the gases being absorbed by other microbes for hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

This development means scientists can lean into programs that save forests and regenerate those that have been depleted. Depending on what needs to be taken care of, those specific trees could be grown.

This gives us a leg up to caring for our planet during a time when warming and unusual climate developments are rampant. Perhaps we should be paying attention a little more to nature and what else she is doing for us.