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A hidden pollutant is changing how the world's forests breathe

Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily·June 2, 2026

Researchers have discovered that nitrogen pollution can significantly impact the natural breathing process of forest soils, either accelerating or decelerating it depending on the ecosystem's condition. This finding reveals hidden tipping points that could influence forests' ability to store carbon and adapt to climate change. The global analysis highlights the complex relationship between nitrogen pollution and forest ecosystems. Nitrogen pollution's effects on forest soils may have significant implications for the world's forests and their role in mitigating climate change.

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