Reducing the uncertainty in estimating soil microbial-derived carbon storage

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest carbon pool in terrestrial ecosystems and plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change and enhancing soil productivity. Microbial-derived carbon (MDC) is the main component of the persistent SOC pool. However, current formulas used to estimate the proportional contribution of MDC are plagued by uncertainties due to limited sample sizes and the neglect of bacterial group composition effects. Here, we compiled the comprehensive global dataset and employed machine learning approaches to refine our quantitative understanding of MDC contributions to total carbon storage. Our efforts resulted in a reduction in the relative standard errors in prevailing estimations by an…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 42377121
• CA
  Chinese Academy of Sciences

  Awards: XDA28030102, 32241037
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

  Award: BK20240015
• YI
  Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2021YFD1900400
• YI
  Youth Innovation Promotion Association