What if a soil secret could help nature bounce back faster?
Recent research from the University of Leeds found that tropical forests regrow up to twice as fast when soils have enough nitrogen, helping capture more carbon as they recover from deforestation.
The scientists tracked forest plots for up to 20 years and saw that nitrogen availability makes a real difference in how quickly trees return and ecosystems recover.
This isn’t an invitation to fertilise forests willy-nilly, but a reminder that nutrients in soil matter deeply to plant growth and carbon storage.
Instead of synthetic fertilisers, working with plants that naturally add nitrogen or restoring areas where nitrogen is already present can boost regrowth without harming the environment.
Understanding the hidden power of soil helps us make smarter gardening and restoration choices that benefit plants and the planet.
To read more, red the full research article here
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ScienceDaily. (2026). Scientists found the soil secret that doubles forest regrowth. Accessed 27/01/2026