Soils

Fungi may release less carbon dioxide as climate warms

11.03.2008

Global warming will gradually increase the temperature of soils. Most models predict that increased soil temperature will allow fungi and bacteria to break down soil organic matter faster, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.  New research from the University of California – Irvine shows that, at least for dry soils of boreal [...]

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Do earthworms change soil carbon storage capability?

10.29.2008

Earthworms can change the chemistry of carbon in forest soils and litter. Researchers at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center are trying to figure out the impact of earthworms on forest soils, and how they may change soil chemistry. Although we may think that earthworms are everywhere, they were actually introduced into North America by early [...]

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Wildfires may reduce forest soil carbon, nitrogen

10.21.2008

Global warming is contributing to the increased frequency of forest fires in the American west. A new study by the US Forest Service shows that hot fires in western forests consume soil carbon and nitrogen, reducing the ability of soils to store carbon and reducing soil fertility.  This is a potential feed-forward effect: increasing temperatures [...]

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