摘要

We use a simple single-pool model of soil carbon turnover to evaluate possible explanations for the widespread changes in the organic carbon contents of mineral soils across England and Wales, measured in the National Soil Inventory between 1978 and 2003. We provide a means of quantifying the changes in rates of soil organic carbon decomposition in relation to inputs from vegetation required to explain the results. We find that neither changes in decomposition resulting from the effects of climate change on soil temperature and moisture, nor changes in input, could by themselves account for the overall trends. Past changes in land use and management were more likely explanations. Any climate-change signal is masked by these other changes.

  • 出版日期2010-6