Europe’s forests store vast amounts of carbon, but climate-driven disturbances are becoming more frequent. By combining satellite records with information on forest age and structure, we show that recent disturbances increasingly affect the oldest and most carbon-rich forests, particularly spruce forests in Central Europe. This emerging pattern puts long-accumulated carbon at risk and may reduce the long-term climate benefits provided by Europe’s forests.

This study examines how winds, ocean currents, and Saharan dust affect the movement of carbon-rich material from surface waters to the deep ocean off Northwest Africa. By tracing surface seawater pathways and quantifying sinking particles throughout the year, the work shows that winter-spring upwelling drive this transfer, while summer dust helps carry organic matter downward. These findings can be used to improve forecasts of how the ocean will store carbon in the future.