The DOI matches its Crossref record; 30 of the 30 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Carbon input to soil may decrease soil carbon content.
Abstract
Abstract It is commonly predicted that the intensity of primary production and soil carbon (C) content are positively linked. Paradoxically, many long‐term field observations show that although plant litter is incorporated to soil in large quantities, soil C content does not necessarily increase. These results suggest that a negative relationship between C input and soil C conservation exists. Here, we demonstrate in controlled conditions that the supply of fresh C may accelerate the decomposition of soil C and induce a negative C balance. We show that soil C losses increase when soil microbes are nutrient limited. Results highlight the need for a better understanding of microbial mechanisms involved in the complex relationship between C input and soil C sequestration. We conclude that energy available to soil microbes and microbial competition are important determinants of soil C decomposition.
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“Thus, in order to immobilize N, two major requirements have to be fulfilled to stimulate growth of microbial decomposers: (1) sufficient available C as energy source; (2) sufficient available N and P to fulfill stoichiometric requirements and to avoid nutrient mining of original soil organic matter (Fontaine et al., 2004).”
From Potential of Wheat Straw, Spruce Sawdust, and Lignin as High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments to Improve Agricultural Nitrogen Retention Capacity: An Incubation Study (2018) · cites this paper as Fontaine et al., 2004
Citations
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Heulin, T., Stuttmann, J., Chabert, N., HEULIN, F., Ndour, P. M. S., & Achouak, W. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6595446
Qiao, D., & Mouazen, A. M. (2026) · Advances in agronomy · doi:10.1016/bs.agron.2026.03.008
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Rhizosphere priming offsets carbon gains following vegetation of excavated subsoilPreprint
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Metadata
- Authors
- Fontaine, S., Bardoux, G., Abbadie, L., & Mariotti, A.
- Affiliations
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Fontaine, Sébastien
- Venue
- Ecology Letters
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2004-03
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 314-320
- ISSN
- 1461-023X (ISSN-L)
- 1461-0248
- OpenAlex
- W2105961364
- Cited by
- 814
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 27 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 52 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 53 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 55 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 44 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 42
- FWCI
- 14.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Ecology Letters (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil erosion and sediment transport
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Keywords
- soil carbon, carbon input, soil carbon sequestration, soil carbon decomposition, microbial nutrient limitation, microbial competition, plant litter, primary production, carbon balance
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