37-Year Soil Warming Experiment Unveils Hidden Climate Risk
37-Year Soil Warming Experiment Unveils Hidden Climate Risk
US · Published Jul 15, 2026
A groundbreaking 37-year soil warming experiment conducted in the Harvard Forest, Massachusetts, has revealed that stable soil carbon, previously thought to be resistant to decomposition, can break down under rising temperatures.
Led by Jerry Melillo of the Marine Biological Laboratory, the study maintained soil plots at 5°C above ambient temperatures to simulate global warming.

Impact & Risks

The study highlights a significant risk to global climate stability, as forest soils may release more CO2 than previously estimated under continued warming. This could intensify the greenhouse effect, leading to further temperature increases. The findings underscore the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate these effects. Ecosystems dependent on stable soil carbon may also face disruptions, affecting biodiversity and agricultural productivity.

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