The carbon locked by trees extends beyond their trunks. Roots penetrate the soil, transferring carbon into the ground where it binds with organic matter, forming stable compounds that can persist for millennia. As leaves and branches fall, they decompose, enriching the soil with carbon-rich humus.

Forests, including those modeled after Belipola Arboretum’s analog forestry, enhance this process by fostering diverse ecosystems – vines, epiphytes, and microorganisms – that collectively store additional carbon. This synergy makes forests powerful carbon sinks, holding up to 50% of their carbon below ground.