Temperature Sensitivity of Soil Organic Carbon Mineralization along an Elevation Gradient in the Wuyi Mountains, China

Subtropical forest soils may release more carbon than expected under warmer conditions, according to a study conducted along an elevation gradient in the Wuyi Mountains, China. Researchers found that the temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization increased with both elevation and incubation time, suggesting that higher temperatures could accelerate SOC decomposition more than previously anticipated. The study involved incubating surface soils from four distinct ecosystems—evergreen broad-leaf forest, coniferous forest, sub-alpine dwarf forest, and alpine meadow—at temperatures ranging from 5°C to 35°C over a year-long period. Notably, the temperature sensitivity (Q10) for labile carbon did not decrease with increasing incubation intervals, unlike recalcitrant carbon, further emphasizing the potential for greater carbon release in response to climate warming.

Wang, G., Zhou, Y., Xu, X., Ruan, H., & Wang, J. (2013). Temperature Sensitivity of Soil Organic Carbon Mineralization along an Elevation Gradient in the Wuyi Mountains, China. PLoS ONE, 8(1), e53914. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0053914