Theory 22/Temperate Forest/Soil carbon
Soil Carbon Balances Roots and Microbes
The claim
Temperate forest soil carbon is set by the ratio of root input to microbial turnover rather than by litter input.
01Mechanism
Roots deposit carbon directly into mineral soil where it is protected; litter is processed at the surface and lost more readily.
02Prediction
Soil carbon should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Soil carbon tracking litter would remove root input.