The present invention provides methods for slowing down the rate at which plant
biomaterials, such as lignin, are degraded, thereby improving the terrestrial storage
of carbon by reducing the amount of gaseous carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere
upon biodegradation. The inventive methods contemplate the modification of plant
macromolecules to make them more resistant to degradation as well as the treatment
of living and non-living plants with fungicides to prolong the rate of plant breakdown.
