Jutta Holst

Ecosystems capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and store it in vegetation and soil. They also release CO₂ via plant and soil respiration or fires. If the CO₂ uptake is larger than the release, an ecosystem acts as a net sink. This delicate balance can be easily disturbed by human actions such as cutting forests, clearing green areas for housing or roads, or by agricultural practices depleting carbon from the soil. The balance is also very sensitive to climate change. ICOS data show how the ecosystems respond to changes in climate and land use. Land sinks weakening or turning into sources can seriously hamper societal efforts to reach carbon neutrality.