Rhizosphere processes are quantitatively important components of terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycles

While there is an emerging view that roots and their associated microbes actively alter resource availability and soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition, the ecosystem consequences of such rhizosphere effects have rarely been quantified. Using a meta-analysis, we show that multiple indices of microbially mediated C and nitrogen (N) cycling, including SOM decomposition, are significantly enhanced in the rhizospheres of diverse vegetation types. Then, using a numerical model that combines rhizosphere effect sizes with fine root morphology and depth distributions, we show that root-accelerated mineralization and priming can account for up to one-third of the total C and N mineralized in temperate forest soils.…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: DEB‐0743564, DEB‐1011479, DEB‐1153401
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Award: 10‐DOE‐1053
• BA
  Biological and Environmental Research