Controls and relationships of soil organic carbon abundance and persistence vary across pedo‐climatic regions

Summary

This global synthesis of 597 soil profiles reveals that soil organic carbon abundance and persistence are decoupled and controlled by distinct region- and depth-specific factors. The findings challenge generalised models of soil carbon dynamics by demonstrating that high SOC persistence can result from either climatic constraints (e.g. tundra) or mineralogical stabilisation, whilst lower SOC persistence patterns vary widely depending on weathering intensity and productivity. These process-oriented groupings provide an empirical benchmark for improving global carbon cycle models.

UK applicability

UK soils span temperate maritime pedo-climatic zones not extensively represented in global syntheses, so direct applicability requires region-specific validation. However, the methodological framework for linking SOC abundance to persistence controls may inform improved national soil carbon accounting and management recommendations for both agricultural and natural systems.

Key measures

Soil organic carbon abundance and persistence (radiocarbon profiles); depth-resolved compartment modelling; pedo-climatic region classification; rates of microbial decomposition and vertical carbon transport

Outcomes reported

The study analysed 597 soil profiles with radiocarbon data to assess how soil organic carbon (SOC) abundance and persistence vary across pedo-climatic regions and soil depths. It identified region- and depth-specific controls on SOC dynamics, including climatic constraints, mineralogical stabilisation, decomposition rates and vertical carbon transport.

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