The idea of measuring tree biomass, particularly carbon, began to take shape in the early 20th century when scientists became more interested in understanding forests' role in the carbon cycle.

Carbon is a fundamental element that makes up all living organisms. In the atmosphere, carbon exists primarily as carbon dioxide (CO₂), a gas that can contribute to climate change when present in excess. Trees help with this problem by absorbing CO2 during a process called photosynthesis.

Boreal forests, also known as taiga, stretch like a rugged, green belt across the colder parts of the world, where winters are long and summers are short. The boreal forest is immense—covering nearly 12% of the Earth’s land surface—and holds more than a third of the world’s forests. It stretches across Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia, forming a nearly unbroken circle of green just below the Arctic tundra.

Temperate forests are places of transformation, where the seasons shape both land and life. These forests thrive between the extremes—not too hot, not too cold—stretching across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia and South America.

Tropical rainforests are some of the most biologically diverse and important ecosystems on the planet. These forests are found near the equator in regions such as South America, Southeast Asia, and Central Africa, where they experience warm, humid conditions and high rainfall throughout the year.

The forest's canopy is its own unique world, filled with plants, animals, and various life forms that rely on it for survival.

The understory sits between the forest floor and the canopy. This middle layer is a lively, important part of the ecosystem, supporting a wide variety of plants, animals, and fungi.

The groundcover in a forest is more than dirt and leaves—it’s a living, complex ecosystem known as the forest floor. This layer is rich with life and helps sustain the entire forest.

Beneath your feet lies a complex, interconnected world that plays a critical role in keeping the forest alive and thriving. This underground network involves roots, fungi, tunneling animals, and water, all working together in a delicate balance.

Trees are amazing. They can stand tall through hot summers, and even during extreme heat waves. But how do they do it? Let's dive into how trees and forests handle heat, from normal summer days to the really scorching ones.

When we think about animals that are important to an ecosystem, we often picture pandas or dolphins. However, some of the most significant creatures are often the forgotten or unloved ones, like vultures. These animals are really important for the balance of ecosystems, despite their less-than-savory appearances or diets.

Forests are a treasure trove for bees, where they can easily forage from flowers, shrubs, and plants, as well as nest in tree cavities, dead branches, and even in the ground. In return, bees help keep the forest diverse and healthy by pollinating plants, which is important for the reproduction and growth of the whole forest.

Boreal forests, found in places like Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia, are important ecosystems filled with coniferous trees, diverse wildlife, and rich natural resources. These forests have adapted to wildfires–in fact, forest fires are part of the cycle of life in these northern forests.

Trees have an amazing way of telling the story of Earth's past through their rings. Each ring a tree grows can show scientists a lot about what the climate was like in the past. Here’s how they do it:

Did you know mangroves absorb carbon dioxide at a rate 10 times faster than mature tropical forests?

But first, what are mangroves?

Measuring the carbon stored in trees helps us in the fight against climate change, but it also uses energy and adds to our carbon footprint.

You might have heard about how important carbon sequestration and offsets are to combat climate change, but have you ever wondered if there will be a time when they’re no longer needed?

Planting more trees sounds like a great, easy way to solve our environmental problems, but it’s often far more complicated than it seems.