Researchers from Southern Cross and Monash universities have discovered that microbes in trees in northern New South Wales are consuming harmful greenhouse gases like methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. This finding suggests that trees play a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere beyond just capturing carbon dioxide. The study looked at eight tree species in the Tweed Shire, finding that each species housed different microbes in its bark that fed on particular gases. The information could be used to inform decisions on the best trees to plant in specific areas to eliminate toxic gases. A recent study has revealed the potential for urban roadways lined with trees containing carbon-monoxide-eating microbes in their bark to help clean the air of vehicle emissions. The research, conducted on melaleuca wetlands on the Tweed Coast, highlights the importance of bark microbes in mitigating climate change and conservation efforts. The study also introduces new techniques for measuring gas fluxes, with global implications for understanding how trees and their bark microbiomes impact the cycling of climate-active gases. Co-lead researcher Damien Maher emphasizes that the discovery is just the beginning of expanding our knowledge of how trees and microbes interact to control Earth's climate.