pasture to forest_stri_mattson (IMAGE) Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Caption Simply removing cows and allowing forest to regrow results in an almost immediate reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide gas released into the atmosphere by tropical soils. Many pastures are surrounded by forest, an important source of seeds as well as the birds and animals that help to restore abandoned pastureland. Credit Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Usage Restrictions Credit: STRI License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.