Soil microorganisms shape global element cycles in life and death. Living soil
microorganisms are a major engine of terrestrial biogeochemistry, driving the turnover of soil …

Soils store the largest amount of carbon (C) in the biosphere, and the C pool in soil is critical
to the global C balance. Numerous microbial models have been developed over the last few …

In predicting how soil C fluxes and stocks will change with the environment, models are a
critical tool for integrating datasets with theory. Models developed in the 1980's were based …

Soil carbon (C) models are used to predict C sequestration responses to climate and land
use change. Yet, the soil models embedded in Earth system models typically do not …

A large fraction of plant litter comprises recalcitrant aromatic compounds (lignin and other
phenolics). Quantifying the fate of aromatic compounds is difficult, because oxidative …

Particulate (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC) are measurable carbon
pools with distinct function. Their turnover properties have been rarely assessed because of …

Microbial decomposers face large stoichiometric imbalances when feeding on nutrient-poor
plant residues. To meet the challenges of nutrient limitation, microorganisms might:(i) …

Soils are continuously exposed to cycles of drying and rewetting (D/RW), which drive
pronounced fluctuations in soil carbon (C) fluxes. These C dynamics are characterized by a …

In alpine environments, the decomposition rate of soil organic carbon (SOC) is controlled by
several biotic and abiotic factors, which mostly change simultaneously and often lead to …

Maintaining soil organic matter (SOM) is crucial for healthy and productive agricultural soils
and requires understanding at the process level, including the role of SOM protection by soil …