Cited by 1,431Soil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsEcology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesMycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions

Plant functional traits and soil carbon sequestration in contrasting biomes

De Deyn, Gerlinde B., Cornelissen, Johannes H. C., Bardgett, Richard D.·2008·Ecology Letters

Abstract

Plant functional traits control a variety of terrestrial ecosystem processes, including soil carbon storage which is a key component of the global carbon cycle. Plant traits regulate net soil carbon storage by controlling carbon assimilation, its transfer and storage in belowground biomass, and its release from soil through respiration, fire and leaching. However, our mechanistic understanding of these processes is incomplete. Here, we present a mechanistic framework, based on the plant traits that drive soil carbon inputs and outputs, for understanding how alteration of vegetation composition will affect soil carbon sequestration under global changes. First, we show direct and indirect plant trait effects on soil carbon input and output through autotrophs and heterotrophs, and through modification of abiotic conditions, which need to be considered to determine the local carbon sequestration potential. Second, we explore how the composition of key plant traits and soil biota related to carbon input, release and storage prevail in different biomes across the globe, and address the biome‐specific mechanisms by which plant trait composition may impact on soil carbon sequestration. We propose that a trait‐based approach will help to develop strategies to preserve and promote carbon sequestration.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01164.x

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  • The chief initial method of carbon transfer to soil is via recent photosynthesis and subsequent transfer to plant roots and thence to soil organic matter.

    “the chief initial method of carbon transfer to soil is via recent photosynthesis and subsequent transfer to plant roots (Jime ´nez and Lal, 2006;De Deyn et al., 2008;Taylor et al., 2009;Orwin et al., 2010) and thence to soil organic matter (Ko ¨gel-Knabner, 2002).”

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Authors
De Deyn, G. B., Cornelissen, J. H. C., & Bardgett, R. D.
Affiliations
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
  • Lancaster University (GB)
Venue
Ecology Letters
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2008-02-19
Volume
11
Issue
5
Pages
516-531
ISSN
  • 1461-023X (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-0248
OpenAlex
W2109895772
Cited by
1,431
References
115
Citations by year
2026: 63 · 2025: 99 · 2024: 88 · 2023: 82 · 2022: 118 · 2021: 117 · 2020: 129 · 2019: 79 · 2018: 87 · 2017: 89 · 2016: 96 · 2015: 77 · 2014: 63 · 2013: 58 · 2012: 53
FWCI
66.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Ecology Letters (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
  • Lancaster EPrints (Lancaster University) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/D003946/1)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
Keywords
plant functional traits, soil carbon sequestration, soil carbon storage, belowground biomass, soil respiration, heterotrophs, autotrophs, soil organisms, vegetation composition change, global change, trait-based approach
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Biological, Carbon, Plants, Soil, Soil Microbiology, Ecosystem

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