A holistic perspective on soil architecture is needed as a key to soil functions

European Journal of Soil Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 73(1)

Published: July 27, 2021

Abstract Soil functions, including climate regulation and the cycling of water nutrients, are central importance for a number environmental issues great societal concern. To understand manage these it is crucial to be able quantify structure soils, now increasingly referred as their “architecture,” constraints physical, chemical biological processes in soils. This quantification was traditionally approached from two different angles, one focused on aggregates solid phase, other pore space. The recent development sophisticated, non‐disturbing imaging techniques has led significant progress description soil architecture, terms both space spatial configuration mineral organic materials. We have direct access virtually all aspects architecture. In present article, we review how this affects perception architecture specifically when trying describe functions A key conclusion our analysis that context, imperatively needs explored its natural state, with little disturbance possible. same requirement applies taking place hierarchical network, those contributing emergence heterogeneous organo‐mineral matrix by various mixing processes, such bioturbation, diffusion, microbial metabolism interactions. Artificially isolated fundamentally inappropriate deriving conclusions about functioning an intact soil. fully account argue holistic approach centres mandatory while dismantlement soils into chunks may still carried out study binding components. future, expected along direction, new, advanced technologies become available. Highlights highlight temporal dynamics activity carbon turnover. reconcile controversial concepts relative formed reshaped time. demonstrated porous not assembly aggregates. Biological physical formation

Language: Английский

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Initial soil formation by biocrusts: Nitrogen demand and clay protection control microbial necromass accrual and recycling

Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 167, P. 108607 - 108607

Published: Feb. 15, 2022

Language: Английский

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Microscale carbon distribution around pores and particulate organic matter varies with soil moisture regime

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: April 21, 2022

Abstract Soil carbon sequestration arises from the interplay of input and stabilization, which vary in space time. Assessing resulting microscale distribution an intact pore space, however, has so far eluded methodological accessibility. Here, we explore role soil moisture regimes shaping gradients by a novel mapping protocol for particulate organic matter matrix based on combination Osmium staining, X-ray computed tomography, machine learning. With three different types show that regime governs C losses redistribution stabilization patterns matrix. Carbon depletion around pores (aperture > 10 µm) occurs much larger volume (19–74%) than enrichment (1%). Thus, interacting processes shaped are decisive factor overall persistence.

Language: Английский

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Carbon Sequestration Strategies in Soil Using Biochar: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 57(31), P. 11357 - 11372

Published: July 26, 2023

Biochar, a carbon (C)-rich material obtained from the thermochemical conversion of biomass under oxygen-limited environments, has been proposed as one most promising materials for C sequestration and climate mitigation in soil. The contribution biochar hinges not only on its fused aromatic structure but also abiotic biotic reactions with soil components across entire life cycle environment. For instance, minerals microorganisms can deeply participate mineralization or complexation labile (soluble easily decomposable) even recalcitrant fractions biochar, thereby profoundly affecting cycling Here we identify five key issues closely related to application review outstanding advances. Specifically, terms use pyrochar, hydrochar, stability soil, effect flux speciation changes emission nitrogen-containing greenhouse gases induced by production application, barriers are expounded. By elaborating these critical issues, discuss challenges knowledge gaps that hinder our understanding provide outlooks future research directions. We suggest combining mechanistic biochar-to-soil interactions long-term field studies, while considering influence multiple factors processes, is essential bridge gaps. Further, standards should be widely implemented, threshold values urgently developed. Also needed comprehensive prospective assessments restricted account contributions contamination remediation, quality improvement, vegetation accurately reflect total benefits

Language: Английский

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Nitrogen input enhances microbial carbon use efficiency by altering plant–microbe–mineral interactions

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(16), P. 4845 - 4860

Published: June 1, 2022

Microbial growth and respiration are at the core of soil carbon (C) cycle, as these microbial physiological performances ultimately determine fate C. C use efficiency (CUE), a critical metric to characterize partitioning between respiration, thus controls sign magnitude C-climate feedback. Despite its importance, response CUE nitrogen (N) input relevant regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood, leading large uncertainties in predicting dynamics under continuous N input. By combining multi-level field addition experiment with substrate-independent 18 O-H2 O labelling approach well high-throughput sequencing mineral analysis, here we elucidated how N-induced changes plant-microbial-mineral interactions drove responses We found that increased significantly consequence enhanced after 6-year addition. In contrast prevailing view, elevated were not mainly driven by reduced stoichiometric imbalance, but strongly associated accessibility from weakened protection. Such attenuated organo-mineral association was further linked plant community oxalic acid soil. These findings provide empirical evidence for tight linkage mineral-associated physiology, highlighting need disentangle complex plant-microbe-mineral improve prediction anthropogenic

Language: Английский

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Will fungi solve the carbon dilemma?

Geoderma, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 413, P. 115767 - 115767

Published: Feb. 12, 2022

Soils are hotspots of diversity and sustain many globally important functions. Here we focus on the most burning issue: how to keep soils as carbon sinks while maintaining their productivity. Evidence shows that life in plays a crucial role improving soil health yet ecological processes often ignored sciences. In this review, highlight potential fungi increase sequestration crop yield, functions needed human population Earth at same time livable. We propose management strategies steer towards more fungal activity but also high functional which will lead stable sources affects structure food web up ecosystem level. list knowledge gaps limit our ability communities such stabilising top becomes effective. Using natural capacity biodiverse community sequester delivers double benefit: reduction atmospheric dioxide by storing photosynthesized increasing agricultural yields restoring organic matter content degraded soils.

Language: Английский

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Soil aggregate microstructure and microbial community structure mediate soil organic carbon accumulation: Evidence from one-year field experiment

Geoderma, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 430, P. 116324 - 116324

Published: Jan. 6, 2023

Soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation is easily susceptible to tillage managements, which strongly affect soil structure and microbial community structure. Subsoiling developed for mitigating compaction thus improving Coupled with straw residue incorporation, it expected not only enhance this improvement but also promote (C) storage in soil. However, how subsoiling managements change aggregate microstructure, SOC fractions, microstructure the topsoil subsoil layers are equally unknown. An in-situ incubation field experiment was conducted a Mollisol northeastern China included conventional (CT), (ST) incorporation (ST + S). The methods of synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography scanning, phospholipid fatty acid density fractionation were used analyze pore characteristics, respectively. results showed that both ST especially S improved enhanced biomass then favored accrual (0–20 cm). In (20–35 cm), exerted similar positive effects as those topsoil. decreased subsoil. Moreover, characteristics explained (solely 6 % 12 subsoil, respectively) smaller part variation within aggregates than did 15 25 respectively). Specifically, bacteria 26 66 porosity macropores (>100 μm) topsoil, whereas micropores (<30 more (12 %) (3 Notably, substantially different interaction mechanism-processed between probably traceable influx C, size distribution adaptability layers. These would provide new insights on strategies conditions terms optimizing microstructure–microbes–SOC interactions

Language: Английский

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Litter quality controls the contribution of microbial carbon to main microbial groups and soil organic carbon during its decomposition

Biology and Fertility of Soils, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 60(2), P. 167 - 181

Published: Jan. 6, 2024

Language: Английский

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Composition and metabolism of microbial communities in soil pores

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 27, 2024

Abstract Delineation of microbial habitats within the soil matrix and characterization their environments metabolic processes are crucial to understand functioning, yet experimental identification remains persistently limited. We combined single- triple-energy X-ray computed microtomography with pore specific allocation 13 C labeled glucose subsequent stable isotope probing demonstrate how long-term disparities in vegetation history modify spatial distribution patterns particulate organic matter drivers habitats, probe bacterial communities populating such habitats. Here we show striking differences between large (30-150 µm Ø) small (4-10 pores (i) diversity, composition, life-strategies, (ii) responses added substrate, (iii) pathways, (iv) processing fate labile C. propose a habitat classification concept based on biogeochemical mechanisms localization also suggests interventions mitigate environmental consequences agricultural management.

Language: Английский

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Well-designed multi-species grassland mixtures enhance both soil carbon inputs and aboveground productivity

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 385, P. 109578 - 109578

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Language: Английский

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