Cited by 331Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant InteractionsSoil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsForest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies

Biological weathering and the long‐term carbon cycle: integrating mycorrhizal evolution and function into the current paradigm

TAYLOR, L. L., LEAKE, J. R., QUIRK, J., HARDY, K., BANWART, S. A., BEERLING, D. J.·2009·Geobiology

Abstract

The dramatic decline in atmospheric CO 2 evidenced by proxy data during the Devonian (416.0–359.2 Ma) and the gradual decline from the Cretaceous (145.5–65.5 Ma) onwards have been linked to the spread of deeply rooted trees and the rise of angiosperms, respectively. But this paradigm overlooks the coevolution of roots with the major groups of symbiotic fungal partners that have dominated terrestrial ecosystems throughout Earth history. The colonization of land by plants was coincident with the rise of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), while the Cenozoic ( c . 65.5–0 Ma) witnessed the rise of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) that associate with both gymnosperm and angiosperm tree roots. Here, we critically review evidence for the influence of AMF and EMF on mineral weathering processes. We show that the key weathering processes underpinning the current paradigm and ascribed to plants are actually driven by the combined activities of roots and mycorrhizal fungi. Fuelled by substantial amounts of recent photosynthate transported from shoots to roots, these fungi form extensive mycelial networks which extend into soil actively foraging for nutrients by altering minerals through the acidification of the immediate root environment. EMF aggressively weather minerals through the additional mechanism of releasing low molecular weight organic chelators. Rates of biotic weathering might therefore be more usefully conceptualized as being fundamentally controlled by the biomass, surface area of contact, and capacity of roots and their mycorrhizal fungal partners to interact physically and chemically with minerals. All of these activities are ultimately controlled by rates of carbon‐energy supply from photosynthetic organisms. The weathering functions in leading carbon cycle models require experiments and field studies of evolutionary grades of plants with appropriate mycorrhizal associations. Representation of the coevolution of roots and fungi in geochemical carbon cycle models is required to further our understanding of the role of the biota in Earth's CO 2 and climate history.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2009.00194.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).”
  • These functions represent the effects of a range of rhizosphere processes that accelerate the physical breakdown and chemical dissolution of minerals, including the activities of nutrient scavenging mycorrhizal fungi that physically disrupt and chemically etch mineral surfaces, and bio-production of low molecular weight organic compounds and chelating agents.

    “These functions represent the effects of a range of rhizosphere processes that accelerate the physical breakdown and chemical dissolution of minerals, including the activities of nutrient scavenging mycorrhizal fungi that physically disrupt and chemically etch mineral surfaces, and bio-production of low molecular weight organic compounds and chelating agents 63,64 .”

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Authors
TAYLOR, L. L., LEAKE, J. R., QUIRK, J., HARDY, K., BANWART, S. A., & BEERLING, D. J.
Affiliations
University of Sheffield (GB)
Corresponding author
BEERLING, D. J.
Venue
Geobiology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2009-03
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
171-191
ISSN
  • 1472-4669 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-4677
OpenAlex
W2022597252
Cited by
331
References
217
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 17
FWCI
1.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Geobiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • McMaster University
  • University of Sheffield
  • Natural Environment Research Council (NE/E015190/1, NE/C004566/1, NE/C521001/1, NE/C521044/1)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
Keywords
biological weathering, long-term carbon cycle, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, ectomycorrhizal fungi, mineral weathering, mycelial networks, carbon cycle models, paleoclimate
MeSH terms
Carbon, Soil Microbiology, Plant Roots, Mycorrhizae

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