Pedogenic Threshold in Acidity Explains Context-Dependent Tree Species Effects on Soil Carbon

• DOI: 10.3389/ffgc.2021.679813
• Publication Date: 2021-05-25T11:31:12Z
• Authors: Ellen Desie; Bart Muys; Boris Jansen; Lars Vesterdal; Karen Vancampenhout
• Keywords: Soil carbon

Despite the general agreement that maximizing carbon storage and its persistence in forest soils are top priorities context of climate change mitigation, our knowledge on how to steer soil organic (SOC) through management remains limited. For some soils, tree species selection based litter quality has been shown a powerful measure boost SOC stocks stability, whereas other locations similar efforts result insignificant or even opposite effects. A better understanding which mechanisms underpin such context-dependency is needed order focus prioritize for sequestration. Here we discuss key role acid buffering belowground ecosystem functioning threshold behavior pH mediates effects cycling. most forests around world, between exchange buffer aluminum pH-H 2 O 4.5 particular relevance. When shift these domains occurs, it triggers changes multiple compartments soil, ultimately altering way incorporated transformed. Moreover, impact can be amplified by feedback loops species, biota cation capacity (CEC). Hence, taking into account non-linearities related acidity will allow more accurate predictions size direction effect stored soils. Consequently, this developing efficient, context-explicit strategies optimize their stability.