Articles

Soil Biota on Soil Organic Carbon Stabilization

  • LIU Manqiang ,
  • GUO Juhua ,
  • HU Feng ,
  • LI Huixin ,
  • CHEN Xia oyun
Expand
  • Soil Ecology Laboratory, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095,China

Received date: 2007-01-01

  Revised date: 2007-01-01

  Online published: 2007-02-10

Abstract

Knowledge of soil organic carbon (SOC) stability is essential for understanding the changing global carbon cycle and developing strategies for mitigating the increasing greenhouse gas emission and global climate change. Current popular mechanisms for carbon stabilization mainly included (1) selective preservation due to recalcitrance of SOC, (2) spatial inaccessibility of SOC against decomposer organisms due to occlusion, intercalation, hydrophobicity and encapsulation, and (3) interaction with mineral surfaces and metal ions. Until now the mechanistic understanding of SOC stabilization are still not satisfying, especially for the roles of soil biota in the stabilization process. Therefore, first we explored specific functions of soil biota in SOC stabilization derived from the abovementioned mechanisms; Second we presented a conceptual  view that intrinsic nature of soil biota as well as coevolution between soil biota and habitat would influence SOC stability; Then the trade-off between value of SOC stabilization and profit of SOC decomposition were emphasized; Finally the promising research directions were listed in respect of soil biota in SOC stabilization, such as the roles of soil biota in (1) plant carbon and SOC resynthesis process, (2) the feedback loops between aboveground and belowground on SOC stability, (3) SOC stabilization under specific environmental and soil conditions, (4) SOC decomposition associated ecological service and SOC stabilization or storage under various soil managements, (5) SOC stabilization at different spatial and temporal scales. From the point of coevolution, the interactions between soil biota and SOC stability would be studied hierarchically, i.e. physiological characteristics of soil individual organism,life history of population, community and ecosystem properties.

Cite this article

LIU Manqiang , GUO Juhua , HU Feng , LI Huixin , CHEN Xia oyun . Soil Biota on Soil Organic Carbon Stabilization[J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2007 , 22(2) : 152 -158 . DOI: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2007.02.0152

References

[1]Post W M, Emanuel W P, Zinke P J, et al. Soil carbon pools and world life zones [J]. Nature, 1982, 298: 156-159.
[2]Lal R. Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security [J]. Science, 2004, 304: 1 623-1 627.
[3]Post W M, Izaurralde R C, Jastrow J D, et al. Enhancement of carbon sequestration in US soils [J]. Bioscience, 2004, 54: 895-908.
[4]Pan Genxing, Li Lianqing, Zhang Xuhui, et al. Soil organic carbon storage of China and the sequestration dynamics in agricultural lands [J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2003, 18 (4): 609-618. [潘根兴, 李恋卿, 张旭辉, 等. 中国土壤有机碳库量与农业土壤碳固定动态的若干问题[J]. 地球科学进展, 2003, 18(4) :609-618.]
[5]Liu Manqiang, Hu Feng, Chen Xiaoyun. A review on mechanisms of soil organic carbon stabilization [J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2007 (in press). [刘满强, 胡锋, 陈小云. 土壤有机碳稳定机制研究进展[J]. 生态学报, 2007(待发).]
[6]Wang Shaoqiang, Liu Jiyuan. Research status of impact factors of soil carbon storage [J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2002, 17(4): 528-534. [王绍强, 刘纪远. 土壤碳蓄积量变化的影响因素研究现状[J]. 地球科学进展, 2002, 17(4) :528-534. ] 
[7]Zhang Guosheng, Huang Gaobao, Yin Chan. Soil organic carbon sequestration potential in cropland [J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica,2005, 25 (2): 351-357. [张国盛, 黄高宝, Yin Chan. 农田土壤有机碳固定潜力研究进展[J].生态学报, 2005, 25 (2): 351-357. ]
[8]Neff J C, Townsend A R, Gleixner G, et al. Variable effects of nitrogen additions on the stability and turnover of soil carbon [J].Nature, 2002,419: 915-917.
[9]Krull E S, Baldock J A, Skjemstad J O. Importance of mechanisms and processes of the stabilization of soil organic matter for modelling carbon turnover [J].Functional Plant Biology,2003, 30: 207-222.
[10]Falloon P D, Smith P Modelling refractory soil organic matter [J].Biology and Fertility of Soils,2000,30:388-398.
[11]Lützow M, Kogel-Knabner I, Ekschmitt K, et al. Stabilization of organic matter in temperate soils: Mechanisms and their relevance under different soil conditions—A review[J].European Journal of Soil Science,2006, 57 (4): 426-445.
[12]Kiem R, Kogel-Knabner I. Contribution of lignin and polysaccharides to the refractory carbon pool in C-depleted arable soils [J].Soil Biology and Biochemistry,2003, 35: 101-118.
[13]Sollins P, Homann P, Caldwell B A. Stabilization and destabilization of soil organic matter: Mechanisms and controls [J].Geoderma,1996, 74: 65-105.
[14]Baldock J A, Masiello C A, Gelinas Y, et al. Cycling and composition of organic matter in terrestrial and marine ecosystems [J]. Marine Chemistry,2004, 92:39-64.
[15]Goh K M. Carbon sequestration and stabilization in soils: Implications for soil productivity and climate change [J].Soil Science and Plant Nutrition,2004, 50: 467-476.
[16]Wardle D A, Bardgett R D, Klironomos J N, et al. Ecological linkages between aboveground and belowground biota [J].Science,2004, 304: 1 629-1 633.
[17]Blouin M, Zuily-Fodil Y, Pham-Thi A.-T, et al. Belowground organism activities affect plant aboveground phenotype, inducing plant tolerance to parasites [J].Ecology Letters,2005, 8: 202-208.
[18]Wardle D A. The influence of biotic interactions on soil biodiversity [J].Ecology Letters,2006, 9: 870-886.
[19]Wurst S, Langel R, Rodger S, et al. Effects of belowground biota on primary and secondary metabolites in Brassica oleracea [J]. Chemoecology,2006, 16: 69-73.
[20]Kaye J P, Hart S C. Competition for nitrogen between plants and soil microorganisms [J].Trends in Ecology & Evolution,1997, 12:139-143.
[21]Hodge A, Robinson D, Fitter A H. Are microbes more effective than plants at competing for nitrogen? [J].Trends in Plant Science,2000, 5: 304-308.
[22]Jouquet P, Dauber J, Lagerlöf J, et al. Soil invertebrates as ecosystem engineers: Intended and accidental effects on soil and feedback loops [J]. Applied Soil Ecology, 2006, 32 (2): 153-164.
[23]Chen Xiaoyun, Liu Manqiang, Hu Feng, et al. Roles of soil micro-fauna (protozoa and nematodes) in rhizosphere ecological functions [J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica,2006 (submitted). [陈小云, 刘满强, 胡锋, 等. 根际微型土壤动物(原生动物和线虫)的生态功能[J]. 生态学报, 2006 (已投稿).]
[24]Sulkava P, Huhta V, Laakso J, et al. Influence of soil fauna and habitat patchiness on plant (Betula pendula) growth and carbon dynamics in a microcosm experiment [J].Oecologia,2001, 129: 133-138.
[25]Meysman F J R, Middelburg J J, Heip C H R. Bioturbation: A fresh look at Darwin's last idea [J].Trends in Ecology & Evolution,2006, 21:688-695.
[26]Scheu S. Effects of earthworms on plant growth: Patterns and perspectives [J].Pedobiologia,2003, 47: 846-856.
[27]Gundale M J, Jolly W M, Deluca T H. Susceptibility of a northern hardwood forest to exotic earthworm invasion [J].Conservation Biology,2005, 19: 1 075-1 083.
[28]De Deyn G B, Raaljmakers C E, Zoomer H R, et al. Soil invertebrate fauna enhances grassland succession and diversity [J].Nature,2003, 422: 711-713. 
[29]van der Heijden M G A, Klironomos J N, Ursic M, et al. Mycorrhizal fungal diversity determines plant biodiversity, ecosystem variability and productivity [J].Nature,1998, 396: 69-72.
[30]Bohlen P J, Pelletier D M, Groffman P M, et al. Influence of earthworm invasion on redistribution and retention of soil carbon and nitrogen in northern temperate forests [J]. Ecosystems,2004, 7: 13-27.
[31]Johnson D, Kresk M, Stott A W, et al. Soil invertebrates disrupt carbon flow through fungal networks [J].Science,2005, 309: 1 047-1 047.
[32]Kogel-Knabner I.The macromolecular organic composition of plant and microbial residues as inputs to soil organic matter [J]. Soil Biology and Biochemistry,2002,34: 139-162.
[33]Six J, Frey S D, Thiet R K, et al. Bacterial and fungal contributions to carbon sequestration in agroecosystems [J].Soil Science Society America Journal,2006, 70: 555-569.
[34]Bucher V V C, Pointing S B, Hyde K D, et al. Production of wood decay enzymes, loss of mass and lignin solubilization in wood by diverse freshwater fungi [J]. Microbial Ecology,2004, 48: 331-337.
[35]Nannipieri P, Kandeler E, Ruggiero P. Enzyme activities and microbiological and biochemical processes in soil[C]//Burns, R G, Dick R P, eds. Enzymes in the Environment.New York:Marcel Dekker Inc. 2002:1-34. 
[36]Fox O, Vetter S, Ekschmitt K, et al. Soil fauna modifies the recalcitrance-persistence relationship of soil carbon pools [J]. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 2006, 38: 1 253-1 263.
[37]Wolters V. Invertebrate control of soil organic matter stability[J].Biology and Fertility of Soils,2000, 31: 1-19.
[38]Johnston C A, Groffman P, Breshears D D, et al. Carbon cycling in soil [J]. Front Ecol Environ,2004, 2: 522-528.
[39]Martin A. Short- and long-term effects of the endogeic earthworm Millsonia anomala (Omodeo) (Megascolecidae, Oligochaeta) of tropical savannahs on soil organic matter [J].Biology and Fertility of Soils,1991, 11: 234-238.
[40]Tisdall J M, Oades J M. Organic matter and water-stable aggregates in soils [J].Journal of Soil Science,1982, 33: 141-163.
[41]Franzluebbers A J. Microbial activity in response to water-filled pore space of variably eroded southern Piedmont soils [J]. Applied Soil Ecology,1999, 11: 91-101.
[42]Hassink J, Bouwmann L A, Zwart K B, et al. Relationships between soil texture, physical protection of organic matter, soil biota, and C and N mineralization in grassland soils [J].Geoderma,1993, 57: 105-128.
[43]Bossuyt H, Six J, Hendrix P F. Rapid incorporation of fresh residue-derived carbon into newly formed microaggregates within earthworm casts [J]. European Journal of Soil Science,2004, 55: 393-399.
[44]Bossuyt H, Six J, Hendrix P F. Protection of soil carbon by microaggregates within earthworm casts [J].Soil Biology and Biochemistry,2005, 37: 251-258.
[45]Pullemana M M, Six J, Uyl A, et al. Earthworms and management affect organic matter incorporation and microaggregate formation in agricultural soils [J].Applied Soil Ecology,2005, 29: 1-15.
[46]Marinissen J C Y, Didden W A M. Influence of the enchytraeid worm Buchholzia appendiculata on aggregate formation and organic matter decomposition [J].Soil Biology and Biochemistry,1997, 29: 387-390.
[47]Hallett P D, Young I M. Changes to water repellence of soil aggregates caused by substrate-induced microbial activity [J].European Journal of Soil Science,1999, 50: 35-40.
[48]Roper M M. The isolation and characterisation of bacteria with the potential to degrade waxes that cause water repellency in sandy soils [J].Australian Journal  Soil Research,2004, 42:427-434.
[49]White N A, Hallett P D, Feeney D, et al. Changes to water repellence of soil caused by the growth of white-rot fungi: Studies using a novel microcosm system [J].FEMS Microbiology Letters,2000, 184: 73-77.
[50]Feeney D S, Hallett P D, Rodger S, et al. Impact of fungal and bacterial biocides on microbial induced water repellency in arable soil [J]. Geoderma,2006, 135: 75-80.
[51]Fortin D, Ferris F G, Scott S D. Formation of Fe-silicates and Fe-oxides on bacterial surfaces in samples collected near hydrothermal vents on the Southern Explorer Ridge in the Northeast Pacific Ocean [J]. American Mineralogist,1998, 83:1 399-1 408.
[52]Bennett P C, Rogers J A, Hiebert F K, et al.Silicates, silicate weathering, and microbial ecology [J]. Geomicrobiology Journal,2001, 18: 3-19.
[53]Frankel R B, Bazylinski D A. Biologically induced mineralization in prokaryotes [J]. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry,2003, 54: 95-114.
[54]Suzuki Y, Matsubara T, Hoshino M. Breakdown of mineral grains by earthworms and beetle larvae [J]. Geoderma,2003, 112: 131-142.
[55]Mikutta R, Kleber M, Torn M, et al. Stabilization of soil organic matter: Association with minerals or chemical recalcitrance? [J]. Biogeochemistry,2006, 77(1): 25-56.
[56]Li Yongtao, Dai Jun, Becquer T, et al. Availability of different organic carbon fractions of paddy soils under two heavy metal contamination levels [J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica,2006, 26(1):138-145. [李永涛, 戴军, Becquer T, 等. 不同形态有机碳的有效性在两种重金属污染水平下水稻土壤中的差异[J]. 生态学报, 2006, 26 (1): 138-145.]
[57]Jentschke G, Godbold D L. Metal toxicity and ectomycorrhizas [J].Physiologia Plantarum,2000, 109: 107-116.
[58]Wen B, Hu X Y, Liu Ying, et al. The role of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in influencing bioavailability of heavy metals in soils [J]. Biology and Fertility of Soils,2004, 40:181-187.
[59]Liu X, Hu C, Zhang S. Effects of earthworm activity on fertility and heavy metal bioavailability in sewage sludge [J]. Environment International,2005, 31: 874-879.
[60]Ekschmitt K, Liu M , Vetter S, et al. Strategies used by soil biota to overcome soil organic matter stability—Why is dead organic matter left over in the soil? [J]. Geoderma,2005, 128: 167-176.
[61]Lavelle P. Faunal activities and soil processes: Adaptive strategies that determine ecosystem function [J]. Advances in Ecological Research,1997, 27: 93-132.
[62]Fontaine S, Mariotti A, Abbadie L. The priming effect of organic matter: A question of microbial competition? [J]. Soil Biology and Biochemistry,2003, 35: 837-843.
[63]Moore J C. Top-down is bottom-up: Does predation in the rhizosphere regulate aboveground dynamics? [J]. Ecology,2003, 84(4): 846-857.
[64]Janzen H H. The soil carbon dilemma: Shall we hoard it or use it? [J]. Soil Biology and Biochemistry,2006, 38: 419-424.

Outlines

/