Animals like echidnas dig holes that trap fallen leaves and other organic matter. Microbes break down the organic matter and store carbon in the soil.

• This helps to offset climate change by keeping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
• Other burrowing animals like anteaters and aardvarks also play this role.
• Elephants help forests store carbon by eating fast-growing trees and giving slow-growing trees more space to grow big.
• Slow-growing trees store more carbon than fast-growing trees.
• Animals are not a solution to climate change, but they can help by storing carbon.
• Protecting animals like echidnas, elephants, and whales can help the planet.

Read more at the Science News Explores website.