Reduced microbial stability in the active layer is associated with carbon loss under alpine permafrost degradation
Permafrost degradation may induce soil carbon (C) loss, critical for global C cycling, and be mediated by microbes. Despite larger C stored within the active layer of permafrost regions, which are more affected by warming, and the critical roles of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in C cycling, most previous s...
Published in: | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
National Academy of Sciences
2021
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8237688/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34131077 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2025321118 |
Summary: | Permafrost degradation may induce soil carbon (C) loss, critical for global C cycling, and be mediated by microbes. Despite larger C stored within the active layer of permafrost regions, which are more affected by warming, and the critical roles of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in C cycling, most previous studies focused on the permafrost layer and in high-latitude areas. We demonstrate in situ that permafrost degradation alters the diversity and potentially decreases the stability of active layer microbial communities. These changes are associated with soil C loss and potentially a positive C feedback. This study provides insights into microbial-mediated mechanisms responsible for C loss within the active layer in degraded permafrost, aiding in the modeling of C emission under future scenarios. |
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