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Priming effects in boreal black spruce forest soils: quantitative evaluation and sensitivity analysis
Zhaosheng Fan1, Julie D Jastrow, Chao Liang
1Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, United States of America.
Plos One
|November 9, 2013
Summary
Priming effects, where added organic carbon (OC) boosts soil OC decomposition, are crucial in boreal forests. Our model shows priming intensity depends on OC input frequency and quality, impacting soil carbon storage.
Area of Science:
- Soil Science
- Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Priming effects, where added organic carbon (OC) stimulates soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition, are known in temperate ecosystems.
- However, field data on priming effects in boreal ecosystems, particularly in permafrost soils, are scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and drivers of priming effects in boreal black spruce forest soils.
- To simulate the interactions between hydrological, physical, and biological processes influencing soil carbon dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Development of a coupled dissolved OC (DOC) transport and microbial biomass dynamics model.
- Simulation of soil pore-water systems in black spruce forests with and without permafrost.
- Sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of DOC input, SOC quality, and microbial dynamics.
Main Results:
- Priming effects were strongly correlated with the frequency and intensity of DOC input.
- SOC quality and microbial biomass dynamics (death and respiration) were key sensitivities.
- Favorable water movement enhanced priming effects, particularly in deeper soil layers with high SOC stocks.
Conclusions:
- Priming effects are significant in boreal forest soils and influenced by DOC input dynamics.
- Accurate parameterization of SOC quality and microbial processes is essential for ecosystem models.
- Permafrost degradation may accelerate priming effects due to altered water movement and potential thermokarst formation.
