Global trends in carbon sequestration and oxygen release: From the past to the future

Clarifying the spatiotemporal changes and trends of carbon sequestration and oxygen release (CO_total) is crucial for establishing policy objectives aimed at achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. However, extant studies have predominantly focused on carbon sequestration, with limited attention to the concurrent oxygen release resulting from the same ecological processes, particularly on a global scale. Here, we revealed the historical and prospective trajectories of CO_total in global terrestrial ecosystems by coupling multiple methods. Results show that global CO_total mainly increased from 2000 to 2020 and is expected to continue rising in the short term. In parallel, 20.91 % of global regions are anticipated to experience a continued decrease in CO_total in the future, while 11.78 % is projected to shift from shift from increasing to decreasing. Proactive and strategic policy interventions in land use and management are imperative in ameliorating the burgeoning global change quandary.