Invertebrates increase the sensitivity of non-labile soil carbon to climate change

Briones, Maria Jesus Iglesias; Ostle, Nicholas J.; Garnett, Mark H.. 2007 Invertebrates increase the sensitivity of non-labile soil carbon to climate change. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 39 (3). 816-818. 10.1016/j.soilbio.2006.09.007

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract/Summary

The fate of global soil carbon stores in response to predicted climate change is a ‘hotly’ debated topic. Considerable uncertainties remain as to the temperature sensitivity of non-labile soil organic matter (SOM) to decomposition. Currently, models assume that organic matter decomposition is solely controlled by the interaction between climatic conditions and soil mineral characteristics. Consequently, little attention has been paid to adaptive responses of soil decomposer organisms to climate change and their impacts on the turnover of long-standing terrestrial carbon reservoirs. Using a radiocarbon approach we found that warming increased soil invertebrate populations (Enchytraeid worms) leading to a greater turnover of older soil carbon pools. The implication of this finding is that until soil physiology and biology are meaningfully represented in ecosystem carbon models, predictions will underestimate soil carbon turnover.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.soilbio.2006.09.007
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry > BG01 Measuring and modelling trace gas, aerosol and carbon > BG01.2 Carbon
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	0038-0717
Additional Keywords:	Enchytraeid worms, 14C-bomb, Soil carbon, Temperature sensitivity
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Biology and Microbiology Ecology and Environment Earth Sciences
Date made live:	16 Apr 2008 13:54 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2442

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...