A team of Australian researchers spent five years analyzing the microbiomes of tree bark from eight species of Australian trees. They found that bacteria present on the bark were able to consume gases, including methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide.
“While people have talked about addressing climate change in part by planting trees, the discovery of this hidden world of bark adds a whole new dimension. It could also inform people’s calculations about which trees are the most potent climate warriors.”
Posted: February 7, 2026