Forests With Thriving Animal Populations Store More Carbon, Research Suggests

According to a recent analysis published in New Scientist by James Dinneen, tropical forests that still host a rich diversity of animals can store carbon up to four times faster than forests where wildlife has been depleted. The study, led by Evan Fricke at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reveals that animals play a much bigger role in climate regulation than previously thought.

Fricke and his colleagues examined more than 3,000 tropical forest plots recovering from disturbances such as logging or fire. They found that when seed-dispersing animals like monkeys, birds, and rodents were present and able to move freely, tree growth and carbon storage accelerated dramatically. Conversely, when animal biodiversity was reduced or their movement was restricted due to forest fragmentation, carbon accumulation dropped by as much as half.

“Disruptions to these animals had an even larger negative impact than other threats like fires or livestock grazing,” Fricke explained. The research suggests that animals don’t just contribute marginally to carbon cycles—they are essential drivers of forest regrowth. As Yale ecologist Oswald Schmitz told New Scientist, this study “improves our understanding of how important these animals could be. And it shows that they’re going to be important.”

The findings also challenge the assumption that monoculture tree plantations are the fastest way to restore lost forests. In fact, natural regrowth supported by thriving wildlife communities proved to be an even more powerful carbon-capturing strategy. Protecting biodiversity, therefore, isn’t just about saving charismatic species—it’s a frontline climate solution.

As forests continue to be cleared for agriculture and industry, animals lose the very spaces they need to keep ecosystems healthy. Supporting Conservation projects, protecting natural habitats, and shifting to more plant-based diets all reduce pressure on these landscapes. The fight against climate change depends not only on trees, but on the animals that help them flourish.

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