Summary
This meta-analysis by Wang et al. synthesises evidence that microbial necromass is a quantitatively significant source of persistent soil organic carbon in global ecosystems. The authors argue that dead microbial biomass, through partial decomposition and chemical stabilisation, contributes substantially to long-term soil carbon stocks—a finding that refocuses understanding of soil carbon cycling away from plant litter alone. The work has implications for predicting soil carbon responses to land management and climate change.
Regional applicability
The findings are applicable to UK soils, where microbial communities drive organic matter decomposition and carbon sequestration in temperate grasslands, arable systems, and woodlands. Understanding necromass as a carbon pool may inform carbon accounting in UK agricultural soils and support evidence-based soil stewardship practices.
Key measures
Proportion of soil organic carbon derived from microbial necromass; microbial carbon turnover rates; necromass contribution across ecosystem types
Outcomes reported
The study examined the role of microbial necromass (dead microbial biomass) as a source of soil organic carbon across diverse global ecosystems. The research quantified the contribution of necromass to long-term soil carbon storage and persistence.
Topic tags
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