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Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide increases soil carbon
Julie D Jastrow1, R Michael Miller1, Roser Matamala1
1Environmental Research Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
Global Change Biology
|January 7, 2022
Summary
Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) boosts soil carbon storage in temperate ecosystems. Mineral soils can sequester more carbon, with enhanced root production and microaggregate protection increasing carbon longevity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Ecology
Background:
- Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations pose a significant environmental challenge.
- Previous CO2 enrichment experiments showed limited changes in soil carbon stocks, questioning their role in climate change mitigation.
- Understanding soil carbon sequestration potential is crucial for predicting future climate scenarios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the impact of CO2 enrichment on soil carbon (C) stocks using meta-analysis.
- To quantify the rate of C accrual in temperate forest and grassland soils under elevated CO2.
- To investigate the mechanisms of C sequestration, including the role of root production and soil aggregation.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a meta-analysis of existing CO2 enrichment experiments.
- Measured C accrual rates in deciduous forest and grassland soils over several years.
- Analyzed the incorporation of accrued C into soil microaggregates.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis revealed a collective 5.6% increase in soil C over 2-9 years, at a median rate of 19 g C m-2 yr-1.
- Deciduous forest and grassland soils showed C accrual rates exceeding 40 g C m-2 yr-1.
- Increased root production was a key factor driving C accrual in both ecosystems.
- Over half of the accrued C was stored in protective microaggregates, enhancing its long-term stability.
Conclusions:
- Mineral soils in diverse temperate ecosystems have a significant potential to store additional carbon in response to elevated CO2.
- Enhanced root production and microaggregate formation are critical mechanisms for soil carbon sequestration.
- These findings support the role of soil carbon storage in partially offsetting rising atmospheric CO2 levels.
Keywords:
13C stable isotopeFACE experimentcarbon sequestrationmeta-analysismicroaggregatesopen-top chamberrootssoil organic mattersweetgum foresttallgrass prairie grasslandMore Related Videos
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