Fungal-mediated soil aggregation as a mechanism for carbon stabilization

Soils can potentially be turned into net carbon sinks for atmospheric carbon to offset anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Occlusion of soil organic carbon in soil aggregates is a key mechanism, which temporarily protects it from decomposition by soil organisms. Filamentous fungi are recognized for their positive role in the formation and stabilization of aggregates. In this review, we assess the current knowledge of the contribution of fungi to soil aggregation and set a new research agenda to quantify fungal-mediated aggregation across different climates and soils. Our review highlights three main knowledge gaps: (1) the lack of quantitative data and mechanistic understanding of aggregate turnover under…

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  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

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