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Siberian Rewilding

In Siberia a radical experiment is taking place. Can removing trees and reintroducing musk ox and other grazing animals protect the permafrost from thawing and releasing carbon.

Trees are often thought to be the good guys when it comes to climate change. In Siberia, however, it's not always the case. The landscape was changed when humans arrived and the forest that took over from grasslands is causing problems. In Pleistocene Park, Russian scientists are carrying out a radical rewilding - removing trees and reintroducing species of grazing animals to help protect the permafrost - the deep frozen ground - from thawing and releasing methane into the atmosphere. Tom Heap and Dr Tamsin Edwards consider how this ambitious idea could help in the fight against climate change.

Producer : Anne-Marie Bullock

Researcher: Sarah Goodman

Produced in association with the Royal Geographical Society. Special thanks for this episode to Professor Vincent Gauci from the University of Birmingham.

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14 minutes

Last on

Sat 26 Mar 2022 14:45

Broadcasts

  • Wed 13 Jan 2021 13:45
  • Sat 26 Mar 2022 14:45

Our Planet Now

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