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Biotic and abiotic controls on carbon storage in aggregates in calcareous alpine and prealpine grassland soils

Garcia-Franco, N.; Walter, R.; Wiesmeier, M.; Hurtarte, L. C. C.; Berauer, B. J.; Buness, V.; Zistl-Schlingmann, Marcus 1; Kiese, Ralf ORCID iD icon 1; Dannenmann, Michael 1; Kögel-Knabner, I.
1 Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung (IMK), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Abstract:

Alpine and prealpine grasslands provide various ecosystem services and are hotspots for the storage of soil organic C (SOC) in Central Europe. Yet, information about aggregate-related SOC storage and its controlling factors in alpine and prealpine grassland soils is limited. In this study, the SOC distribution according to the aggregate size classes large macroaggregates (> 2000 μm), small macroaggregates (250–2000 μm), microaggregates (63–250 μm), and silt-/clay-sized particles (< 63 μm) was studied in grassland soils along an elevation gradient in the Northern Limestone Alps of Germany. This was accompanied by an analysis of earthworm abundance and biomass according to different ecological niches. The SOC and N stocks increased with elevation and were associated with relatively high proportions of water-stable macroaggregates due to high contents of exchangeable Ca$^{2+}$ and Mg$^{2+}$. At lower elevations, earthworms appeared to act as catalyzers for a higher microaggregate formation. Thus, SOC stabilization by aggregate formation in the studied soils is a result of a joined interaction of organic matter and Ca$^{2+}$ as binding agents for soil aggregates (higher elevations), and the earthworms that act as promoters of aggregate formation through the secretion of biogenic carbonates (low elevation). ... mehr


Verlagsausgabe §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000126049
Veröffentlicht am 17.11.2021
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.1007/s00374-020-01518-0
Scopus
Zitationen: 21
Web of Science
Zitationen: 21
Dimensions
Zitationen: 21
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung – Atmosphärische Umweltforschung (IMK-IFU)
Universität Karlsruhe (TH) – Interfakultative Einrichtungen (Interfakultative Einrichtungen)
KIT-Zentrum Klima und Umwelt (ZKU)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsdatum 26.10.2020
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 0178-2762, 1432-0789
KITopen-ID: 1000126049
HGF-Programm 12.02.01 (POF III, LK 01) Effects of land use and climate change
Erschienen in Biology and fertility of soils
Verlag Springer
Band 27
Seiten 203–218
Nachgewiesen in Scopus
Dimensions
Web of Science
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