Discovery of Ancient Log Offers Hope for Climate Change Solution Through "Wood Vaulting"

A recent study published in Science highlights the potential of a 3,775-year-old log as a key element in developing climate change mitigation strategies. Conducted by a team led by University of Maryland's Professor Ning Zeng, the research found that the log had lost less than 5% of its carbon dioxide, thanks to the low-permeability clay soil it was buried in. This preservation opens avenues for "wood vaulting," a method where non-commercial wood, such as that from diseased trees or old furniture, is buried to prevent decomposition and carbon release.

Zeng emphasized the importance of understanding the environmental factors that contributed to the log's excellent condition. "The wood is nice and solid—you could probably make a piece of furniture out of it," he stated. Wood vaulting has the potential to complement existing climate solutions like tree planting, which sequesters carbon while trees are alive but releases greenhouse gases upon decomposition.

The log was discovered during a 2013 pilot project in Quebec, where Zeng and his team stumbled upon it while digging a trench. With the help of carbon dating and extensive analysis of its structure and composition, researchers concluded that the surrounding clay soil played a crucial role in the log's preservation by limiting oxygen exposure and deterring decomposers.

As wood vaulting techniques are refined, they may become a viable and cost-effective climate solution worldwide. Zeng believes that combining wood vaulting with other strategies, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, will be essential in addressing the urgent climate crisis. "It's quite an exciting discovery," he remarked, noting the motivation behind this significant analysis.