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Soil carbon decomposition varies vastly, holding implications for climate models

A new study found that the rate of organic carbon decomposition in soil samples collected across the US differed by up to tenfold, with factors like fungi and iron levels strongly associated with variation. This could improve the accuracy of soil carbon feedback estimates in climate models, leading to more refined projections.

SourceIowa State University·JournalOne Earth·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 20, 2025

Long-term biochar use found to sustainably boost crop yields and cut greenhouse gas emissions

A new study found that long-term biochar application can sustainably boost crop yields by 10.8% and cut greenhouse gas emissions like methane and nitrous oxide by 13.5% and 21.4%. Biochar's benefits on soil health and carbon sequestration are also significant, with increased soil organic carbon content by 52.5%.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2025

Global warming accelerates CO2 emissions from soil microbes

Soil microbes are releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere due to global warming, with a potential increase of 40% by 2100 in polar regions. The emissions vary across climate zones, with cold polar regions being more sensitive to changes in soil moisture.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 23, 2023

A viscious circle: Climate change affects greenhouse gas emissions from stream networks

A new study by Linköping University reveals that climate change alters natural greenhouse gas fluxes from streams and lakes, making landscape carbon sinks less effective. The researchers found that increased precipitation and temperature affect the amount of carbon washed into streams and lakes, leading to greater emissions.

SourceLinköping University·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·DateMar 22, 2023

Estimates of the carbon cycle - vital to predicting climate change - are incorrect, Virginia Tech researchers show

Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that key parts of the global carbon cycle used to track movement of carbon dioxide in the environment are not correct. The estimate of how much carbon dioxide plants pull from the atmosphere is critical to accurately monitor and predict the amount of climate-changing gases in the atmosphere.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2022

How much greenhouse gas emission comes from tropical deforestation and peatland loss?

Studies in Cameroon, Indonesia, and Peru found that forest conversion to agriculture and degradation slows carbon and nitrogen cycles, affecting greenhouse gas flows. Methane removals decreased by up to 47% and nitrous oxide emissions dropped by 52%, but results are equivocal for peatland degradation.

Solving the jigsaw puzzle of regional carbon budgets

A new study has provided the first global 'bottom-up' terrestrial carbon budget, estimating a net sink of -2.2 ± 0.6 Pg C y-1 between 2000 and 2009. The study reveals that a significant portion of carbon fixed in terrestrial ecosystems is lost through fires, emissions, and export to rivers, rather than being retained in the soil.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 24, 2020

Researchers find multiple effects on soil from manure from cows administered antibiotics

A new study by Colorado State University researchers found that exposure to manure from cows administered antibiotics alters the soil microbiome and ecosystem functions, reduces soil carbon storage, and changes how plants allocate carbon below ground. The findings suggest that widespread use of antibiotics in livestock production has s...

SourceColorado State University·JournalEcology Letters·DateOct 9, 2019

Climate change and the soil

A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that long-term warming has little effect on the storage of carbon in tropical forest soils. The research suggests that warmer temperatures stimulate an increase in leaf litter and underground sources of carbon, offsetting any potential losses in soil carbon.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJul 23, 2014

Even soil feels the heat

Researchers analyzed 439 soil respiration studies and found that the total amount of carbon dioxide flowing from soils has increased by about 1-2 percent per year since 1989. The study suggests that higher temperatures are unlocking old carbon, but more boreal data is needed to reach statistical relevance.