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Carbon input to soil may decrease soil carbon content
Author(s) -
Fontaine Sébastien,
Bardoux Gérard,
Abbadie Luc,
Mariotti André
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00579.x
Subject(s) - soil carbon , environmental science , carbon fibers , litter , soil science , nutrient , soil organic matter , ecology , nutrient cycle , decomposition , soil nutrients , soil ecology , agronomy , soil biology , soil water , soil biodiversity , biology , mathematics , algorithm , composite number
It is commonly predicted that the intensity of primary production and soil carbon (C) content are positively linked. Paradoxically, many long‐term field observations show that although plant litter is incorporated to soil in large quantities, soil C content does not necessarily increase. These results suggest that a negative relationship between C input and soil C conservation exists. Here, we demonstrate in controlled conditions that the supply of fresh C may accelerate the decomposition of soil C and induce a negative C balance. We show that soil C losses increase when soil microbes are nutrient limited. Results highlight the need for a better understanding of microbial mechanisms involved in the complex relationship between C input and soil C sequestration. We conclude that energy available to soil microbes and microbial competition are important determinants of soil C decomposition.