Boreal forests (taiga) cover about 15% of the Earth’s land surface. It is the second largest forest ecosystem in the world and contains over 30% of all carbon in terrestrial biomes. This tremendous carbon storage is largely due to carbon held in the boreal soils. Cold temperatures limit decomposition. Cycling of carbon is slow. Scientists analyzing satellite data see a lengthening of the warm growing season in the boreal forests. The rate of decomposition may increase as the forests respond to global warming. Scientists fear the forests will change from a storage of carbon to a source of atmospheric carbon. Meet Dr. Diane Wickland, head of NASA’s Terrestrial Ecology Program. As an ecologist, she combines remote sensing, computer modeling, and fieldwork to predict the responses of ecosystems and the carbon cycle as atmospheric temperatures rise. Join Dr. Wickland in each mission as she takes you around the world to spotlight ecology research projects.