Biodiversity loss reduces global terrestrial carbon storage

Sarah R. Weiskopf (), Forest Isbell, Maria Isabel Arce-Plata, Moreno Di Marco, Mike Harfoot, Justin Johnson, Susannah B. Lerman, Brian W. Miller, Toni Lyn Morelli, Akira S. Mori, Ensheng Weng and Simon Ferrier
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Sarah R. Weiskopf: U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Adaptation Science Center
Forest Isbell: University of Minnesota
Maria Isabel Arce-Plata: Université de Montréal
Moreno Di Marco: Sapienza University of Rome
Mike Harfoot: Vizzuality
Justin Johnson: Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota
Susannah B. Lerman: USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station
Brian W. Miller: U.S. Geological Survey North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center
Toni Lyn Morelli: University of Massachusetts
Akira S. Mori: the University of Tokyo
Ensheng Weng: Columbia University/NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
Simon Ferrier: CSIRO Environment

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Natural ecosystems store large amounts of carbon globally, as organisms absorb carbon from the atmosphere to build large, long-lasting, or slow-decaying structures such as tree bark or root systems. An ecosystem’s carbon sequestration potential is tightly linked to its biological diversity. Yet when considering future projections, many carbon sequestration models fail to account for the role biodiversity plays in carbon storage. Here, we assess the consequences of plant biodiversity loss for carbon storage under multiple climate and land-use change scenarios. We link a macroecological model projecting changes in vascular plant richness under different scenarios with empirical data on relationships between biodiversity and biomass. We find that biodiversity declines from climate and land use change could lead to a global loss of between 7.44-103.14 PgC (global sustainability scenario) and 10.87-145.95 PgC (fossil-fueled development scenario). This indicates a self-reinforcing feedback loop, where higher levels of climate change lead to greater biodiversity loss, which in turn leads to greater carbon emissions and ultimately more climate change. Conversely, biodiversity conservation and restoration can help achieve climate change mitigation goals.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47872-7

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