Forest ecosystems contain significant amounts of carbon (C) globally, with a major fraction stored belowground, mainly in soil organic matter (SOM). The current conceptual framework of C stabilization is insufficient for the management of SOM pools. This project aims to unravel C stabilization mechanisms and to challenge the current understanding of their role under various forest managements. I propose a novel approach and hypothesize plant-soil-microbe-virus interactions act as key mediators of SOM stabilization. Proposed SOM stabilization mechanisms include a recently unraveled interaction between roots and fungal necromass and two novel mechanisms affecting microbial necromass formation and stabilization: interaction of microbes with viruses and enrichment of root litter with rhizophagy microbes, a group of endophytes. The improved understanding of SOM stabilization mechanisms will inform us how to increase soil C stabilization through land management to mitigate climate change.

2024

2028