Zhu et al. (2025): Quantifying asynchrony between microbial necromass and soil organic carbon for sustainable soil carbon management
Xuefeng Zhu, Joshua Schimel, Chao Liang, IN: Soil Biology and Biochemistry, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2025.109950
Microbial products and residues are crucial for soil organic carbon (SOC) formation, ecosystem health, and global climate regulation. Central to this understanding is the concept of the soil Microbial Carbon Pump (MCP), which highlights the role of microbial-derived carbon in SOC transformation and sequestration. Despite the rapid growth in research recognizing the significance of the MCP in SOC storage, direct assessments grounded in the MCP concept have largely lagged behind. Here, the authors distill important aspects of soil MCP assessment by reviewing relevant literature, showcasing model scenarios, and exploring rational perspectives on sustainable soil carbon management.