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Fast-decaying plant litter enhances soil carbon in temperate forests but not through microbial physiological traits

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew E. Craig

    (Indiana University
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Kevin M. Geyer

    (University of New Hampshire
    Young Harris College)

  • Katilyn V. Beidler

    (Indiana University)

  • Edward R. Brzostek

    (West Virginia University)

  • Serita D. Frey

    (University of New Hampshire)

  • A. Stuart Grandy

    (University of New Hampshire)

  • Chao Liang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Richard P. Phillips

    (Indiana University)

Abstract

Conceptual and empirical advances in soil biogeochemistry have challenged long-held assumptions about the role of soil micro-organisms in soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics; yet, rigorous tests of emerging concepts remain sparse. Recent hypotheses suggest that microbial necromass production links plant inputs to SOC accumulation, with high-quality (i.e., rapidly decomposing) plant litter promoting microbial carbon use efficiency, growth, and turnover leading to more mineral stabilization of necromass. We test this hypothesis experimentally and with observations across six eastern US forests, using stable isotopes to measure microbial traits and SOC dynamics. Here we show, in both studies, that microbial growth, efficiency, and turnover are negatively (not positively) related to mineral-associated SOC. In the experiment, stimulation of microbial growth by high-quality litter enhances SOC decomposition, offsetting the positive effect of litter quality on SOC stabilization. We suggest that microbial necromass production is not the primary driver of SOC persistence in temperate forests. Factors such as microbial necromass origin, alternative SOC formation pathways, priming effects, and soil abiotic properties can strongly decouple microbial growth, efficiency, and turnover from mineral-associated SOC.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew E. Craig & Kevin M. Geyer & Katilyn V. Beidler & Edward R. Brzostek & Serita D. Frey & A. Stuart Grandy & Chao Liang & Richard P. Phillips, 2022. "Fast-decaying plant litter enhances soil carbon in temperate forests but not through microbial physiological traits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28715-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28715-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Cynthia M. Kallenbach & Serita D. Frey & A. Stuart Grandy, 2016. "Direct evidence for microbial-derived soil organic matter formation and its ecophysiological controls," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Guopeng Liang & John Stark & Bonnie Grace Waring, 2023. "Mineral reactivity determines root effects on soil organic carbon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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