Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Kenyan Fig Trees Lock Carbon Permanently, Boost Agroforestry

10/7/2025

50 10

Summary

Story summary

New research shows fig trees in Kenya convert atmospheric CO2 into calcium carbonate, locking carbon as rock-like deposits via the oxalate-carbonate pathway.
The deposits persist long term and remain after the tree dies, unlike some temporary forms of carbon storage.
Researchers see potential for sustainable agroforestry, combining food production with long-term sequestration, and are testing replication in other tree species.

1 of 1

Story summary

New research shows fig trees in Kenya convert atmospheric CO2 into calcium carbonate, locking carbon as rock-like deposits via the oxalate-carbonate pathway.
The deposits persist long term and remain after the tree dies, unlike some temporary forms of carbon storage.
Researchers see potential for sustainable agroforestry, combining food production with long-term sequestration, and are testing replication in other tree species.