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Microbial spatial footprint as a driver of soil carbon stabilization

Author

Listed:
  • A. N. Kravchenko

    (Michigan State University
    Michigan State University
    University of Göttingen)

  • A. K. Guber

    (Michigan State University
    Michigan State University)

  • B. S. Razavi

    (Christian-Albrecht-University of Kiel)

  • J. Koestel

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • M. Y. Quigley

    (Michigan State University)

  • G. P. Robertson

    (Michigan State University
    Michigan State University
    Michigan State University)

  • Y. Kuzyakov

    (University of Göttingen
    Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science
    RUDN University)

Abstract

Increasing the potential of soil to store carbon (C) is an acknowledged and emphasized strategy for capturing atmospheric CO2. Well-recognized approaches for soil C accretion include reducing soil disturbance, increasing plant biomass inputs, and enhancing plant diversity. Yet experimental evidence often fails to support anticipated C gains, suggesting that our integrated understanding of soil C accretion remains insufficient. Here we use a unique combination of X-ray micro-tomography and micro-scale enzyme mapping to demonstrate for the first time that plant-stimulated soil pore formation appears to be a major, hitherto unrecognized, determinant of whether new C inputs are stored or lost to the atmosphere. Unlike monocultures, diverse plant communities favor the development of 30–150 µm pores. Such pores are the micro-environments associated with higher enzyme activities, and greater abundance of such pores translates into a greater spatial footprint that microorganisms make on the soil and consequently soil C storage capacity.

Suggested Citation

  • A. N. Kravchenko & A. K. Guber & B. S. Razavi & J. Koestel & M. Y. Quigley & G. P. Robertson & Y. Kuzyakov, 2019. "Microbial spatial footprint as a driver of soil carbon stabilization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-11057-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11057-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Huang, Jingyi & Hartemink, Alfred E. & Kucharik, Christopher J., 2021. "Soil-dependent responses of US crop yields to climate variability and depth to groundwater," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    2. Steffen Schlüter & Frederic Leuther & Lukas Albrecht & Carmen Hoeschen & Rüdiger Kilian & Ronny Surey & Robert Mikutta & Klaus Kaiser & Carsten W. Mueller & Hans-Jörg Vogel, 2022. "Microscale carbon distribution around pores and particulate organic matter varies with soil moisture regime," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.

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