Impact Factor0.0
DOI number:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169008
Journal:The Science of The Total Environment
Key Words:Climate change Carbon cycle Soil organic carbon Microbial decomposition model Representative concentration pathways
Abstract:Soil carbon (C) cycling processes in terrestrial ecosystems are significantly influenced by global changes, and soil microorganisms play a crucial role in soil organic carbon (SOC) and its feedbacks to climate change. To investigate the potential future changes in soil C dynamics under different scenarios in the Ziwuling Forest region, China, we conducted a soil observation and sampling experiment from April 2021 to July 2022. By utilizing a microbial ecological model (MEND), we aimed to predict the future dynamics of soil C under different scenarios in the area. Our results demonstrate that under the RCP2.6 (Representative Concentration Pathway) scenario, SOC showed a rapid increase, SOC under the RCP2.6 scenario will be significantly higher than those under the RCP4.5 scenario and RCP8.5 scenario in the topsoil and whole soil. Furthermore, the positive correlation between total litter carbon (LC) and SOC under the RCP2.6 scenario highlights the potential role of total litter carbon in driving SOC dynamics. Our study also revealed that the low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenario favors the accumulation of SOC in the study area, while the high GHG emission scenario leads to greater soil carbon loss. Overall, these results underscore the importance of considering the impact of climate change, especially global warming, on soil ecosystems in the future. Protecting the soil ecosystem of the Loess Plateau is critical for maintaining soil carbon sinks, preventing soil erosion, and improving and regulating the surrounding environmental climate.
Indexed by:Journal paper
Translation or Not:no
Date of Publication:2023-11-22
Included Journals:SCI
First Author:Ruosong Qu
Correspondence Author:Kefeng Wang
All the Authors:Shiyi Chen
All the Authors:Qiuyu Liu
All the Authors:Bin Yang
All the Authors:Ming Yue
All the Authors:Changhui Peng