Long-term liming mitigates the positive responses of soil carbon mineralization to warming and labile carbon input

Summary

This 2024 laboratory study investigates how long-term liming history constrains soil carbon mineralisation responses to warming and organic carbon inputs. Using incubation methods, the authors demonstrate that elevated soil pH from prolonged liming practice reduces the stimulatory effects of both temperature increase and fresh labile carbon on decomposition rates. The findings suggest that soil pH management may be a lever for moderating climate-sensitive carbon losses from agricultural soils.

UK applicability

UK soils in high-rainfall regions are often naturally acidic and benefit from periodic liming to maintain productivity. These findings indicate that liming practices could confer climate resilience benefits by suppressing accelerated decomposition under future warming scenarios, though UK field validation across diverse soil types and farming systems would strengthen applicability.

Key measures

Soil carbon mineralisation rates (CO₂ evolution), soil pH, labile carbon content, temperature response coefficients (Q₁₀), microbial biomass or activity markers

Outcomes reported

The study examined how long-term soil liming modifies the response of soil carbon mineralisation to experimental warming and labile carbon additions. It assessed the interactive effects of pH management, temperature, and substrate availability on soil carbon cycling.

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