268-1 From Litter Decomposition to SOM Formation: What Are We Missing?.

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Chemistry
See more from this Session: Symposium--Towards a Conceptual Model of Soil Carbon Cycling Across Scales: I

Tuesday, November 5, 2013: 8:35 AM
Tampa Convention Center, Room 3

M. Francesca Cotrufo, 200 W. Lake St., Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Abstract:
Accurate modeling of the flow of C from decomposing above- and below-ground plant litter to the atmosphere (e.g., as CO2 and VOC) and soil, and its distribution among functionally distinct soil organic matter pools, remains a challenge. While we have precise knowledge and modeling capability of the controls of plant litter decomposition rates, we largely ignore transfer amounts, temporal dynamics and C-chemistry of litter-C fluxes to the soil (e.g., DOC and light fragments), as well as the environmental and litter quality factors controlling litter-C fate. In the mineral soil, litter-derived C will most likely persist if it is used with high efficiency by microbes and allocated to microbial products that will stabilize through interaction with the soil matrix. These concepts will be discussed on the basis of experimental evidences, using laboratory incubations and field studies with 13C enriched plant material, and conceptual models.

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Chemistry
See more from this Session: Symposium--Towards a Conceptual Model of Soil Carbon Cycling Across Scales: I

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