1. WILDLIFE HELP FORESTS STORE CARBON.
- Author
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WEXLER, MARK
- Subjects
- *
ATMOSPHERIC carbon dioxide , *CARBON sequestration in forests , *WILDLIFE conservation - Abstract
A recent study by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) suggests that cracking down on poaching in tropical forests could help combat climate change. The research found that many of the mammals and birds frequently targeted by hunters play important roles in maintaining the carbon storage capacity of forests. Animals such as elephants, apes, hornbills, and toucans help disperse seeds from big trees with high carbon storage capacity and thin the underbrush, allowing these trees to thrive. As hunters reduce the populations of these animals, smaller-seeded or wind-dispersed trees with lower carbon storage capacity may become more prevalent. The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining intact faunas in order to conserve forests and address climate change. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024