Leveraging multi-network data to elucidate the controls of root input to soil carbon
Abstract
The role of root inputs in soil organic matter formation (SOM) has been demonstrated at lab- and field-scales. Ecosystem-specific syntheses have also elucidated the dominance of root-derived carbon in soils. While disparate datasets containing root or soil data exist, there is a missing framework and harmonized data source with which to test relationships among key root traits and soil properties on global scales.
Through the Fine-root Ecology Database (FRED) and the International Soil Carbon Network (ISCN), we identify root traits that are key to testing global-scale hypotheses on the role of roots in SOM formation and ultimately long-term soil carbon storage. We compile global-scale data on soil carbon and root traits related to allocation, lifespan, and decomposability to address the following questions: 1) How does plant carbon allocation, both between above- and belowground and coarse versus fine roots, relate to soil properties? We expect that allocation will be related to size and density fractions of SOM and global variation in soil carbon stocks. 2) What are the best predictors of root lifespan and how does modeled root lifespan relate to soil carbon stocks globally? We expect that a lower soil carbon storage is associated with faster root turnover. 3) Are there broad-scale spatial relationships among root decomposability traits and soil properties? We expect that root decomposability traits and mineral-associated organic matter are linked. Combining data from multiple networks, we will also summarize existing data and highlight future data needs.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.B32D..01M
- Keywords:
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- 0414 Biogeochemical cycles;
- processes;
- and modeling;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 0428 Carbon cycling;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 0486 Soils/pedology;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 1622 Earth system modeling;
- GLOBAL CHANGE