Green section of a grass with the soil and roots under blue sky
As the world continues to combat climate change, one surprising fact is gaining attention: most carbon on land is not stored in forests, but in soil and water. New studies are reshaping our understanding of carbon sequestration, revealing that underground and aquatic systems play a much larger role than previously believed.
Trees have long been considered the champions of carbon capture. While they do play an essential role, recent scientific studies show that soils and inland waters such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands are actually more significant carbon reservoirs.
According to a 2024 research article published in Nature Geoscience, more than 75% of terrestrial carbon is stored belowground in soils and water systems, compared to about 25% in plant biomass, including forests. This revelation has implications for how we design climate policies and restoration projects.
Soils are composed of a mixture of organic matter, minerals, and living organisms. When plants die, their remains break down and become part of the soil organic matter, locking in carbon. Microbial activity further helps transform this material into stable forms of carbon that can stay in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years.
Soil carbon sequestration can be enhanced through various methods:
A study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms that improved land management practices could increase soil carbon storage by 0.3 to 1.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ per year globally.
Inland waters like rivers, lakes, and wetlands have often been overlooked in climate discussions. However, they are now seen as “active processors and stores of carbon”, according to researchers at the Stockholm Resilience Centre.
Wetlands, in particular, are incredibly efficient at sequestering carbon. They trap organic matter and create anaerobic conditions that slow decomposition, resulting in long-term carbon storage. Peatlands, a type of wetland, cover just 3% of the Earth’s surface but store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined.
Moreover, water bodies absorb carbon from the atmosphere and transport it through aquatic food chains, often ending up as sediment at the bottom of lakes and oceans.
Understanding that carbon sequestration predominantly occurs in soil and water can significantly influence climate strategies. Governments and NGOs have traditionally focused on tree planting as a quick solution. However, a more balanced approach that includes soil regeneration and wetland restoration could be more effective.
In fact, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has encouraged nations to invest in nature-based solutions, especially those that enhance soil and aquatic carbon sinks.
Efforts to scale these approaches include:
Despite their immense potential, soil and water carbon sinks face major threats:
According to NASA’s Earth Observatory, rising temperatures may actually reduce soil carbon storage in the long term if not managed properly.
Thus, protection and careful management of these ecosystems are crucial to ensuring that they continue to act as net carbon sinks rather than sources.
Local communities, especially those in farming and wetland areas, have a significant role to play. Farmers can adopt sustainable techniques that build soil health, while citizens can support wetland conservation projects in their regions.
Urban planners and policymakers should also recognize the benefits of green infrastructure like rain gardens and permeable surfaces, which support soil carbon storage and water retention.
Educational efforts can help raise awareness that carbon capture is not only about forests—it’s deeply rooted in the ground and the water around us.
While forests remain vital, the science is clear: soils and inland waters hold the majority of carbon sequestered on land. As we push forward with climate action, embracing a more complete understanding of where and how carbon is stored will be key to building a sustainable and resilient planet.
To combat climate change effectively, we must look beneath the surface—literally.
For more detailed insights, read the full UNEP Nature-Based Solutions report here.
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