Work

Element interactions limit soil carbon storage

Year: 2006

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Rising levels of atmospheric CO2 are thought to increase C sinks in terrestrial ecosystems. The potential of these sinks to mitigate CO2 emissions, however, may be constrained by nutrients. By using metaanalysis, we found that elevated CO2 only causes accumulation of soil C when N is added at rates well above typical atmospheric N inputs. Similarly, elevated CO2 only enhances N2 fixation, the major natural process providing soil N input, when other nutrients (e.g., phosphorus, molybdenum, and potassium) are added. Hence, soil C sequestration under elevated CO2 is constrained both directly by N availability and indirectly by nutrients needed to support N2 fixation.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0509038103

Authors: Kees-Jan van Groenigen, Johan Six, Bruce A. Hungate, Marie-Anne de Graaff, Nico van Breemen, Chris van Kessel

Institutions: University of California, Davis, Wageningen University & Research, Northern Arizona University

Language: English

Topic: Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life on land

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2114841478

FWCI: 4.304

Cites: 33

Cited by: 362

Related to: 9