Arctic ground squirrels could play a greater role in climate change than was previously thought. Scientists have found that the animals are hastening the release of greenhouse gases from the permafrost - a vast, frozen store of carbon. The researchers say it suggests the impact of wildlife on this area has been underplayed. The findings are being presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in San Francisco. Dr Sue Natali, from Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts, US, said: "We know wildlife impacts vegetation, and we know vegetation impacts thaw and soil carbon. "It certainly has a bigger impact...