Biotic and abiotic controls on carbon storage in aggregates in calcareous alpine and prealpine grassland soils

• DOI: 10.1007/s00374-020-01518-0
• Publication Date: 2020-10-26T14:03:06Z
• Authors: Noelia Garcia-Franco; Roswitha Walter; Martin Wiesmeier; Luis Carlos Coloc...; Bernd Josef Berauer; Vincent Buness; Marcus Zistl-Schl...; Ralf Kiese; Michael Dannenmann; Ingrid Kögel-Knabner
• Keywords: Silt; Soil carbon

Abstract Alpine and prealpine grasslands provide various ecosystem services are hotspots for the storage of soil organic C (SOC) in Central Europe. Yet, information about aggregate-related SOC its controlling factors alpine grassland soils is limited. In this study, distribution according to aggregate size classes large macroaggregates (> 2000 μm), small (250–2000 microaggregates (63–250 silt-/clay-sized particles (< 63 μm) was studied along an elevation gradient Northern Limestone Alps Germany. This accompanied by analysis earthworm abundance biomass different ecological niches. The N stocks increased with were associated relatively high proportions water-stable due contents exchangeable Ca 2+ Mg . At lower elevations, earthworms appeared act as catalyzers a higher microaggregate formation. Thus, stabilization formation result joined interaction matter binding agents aggregates (higher elevations), that promoters through secretion biogenic carbonates (low elevation). Our study highlights importance potential indices evaluate other mountainous soils. Graphical abstract