Distinct Roles of Plant Residues and Microbial Necromass in Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation and Stability in the Alhagi sparsifolia Community
Cong, Mengfei (Xinjiang University)
Zhang, Zhihao (Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems)
Hu, Yang (Xinjiang Agricultural University)
Tariq, Akash (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Sardans i Galobart, Jordi (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Wang, Weiqi (Fujian Normal University)
Dong, Xinping (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Zhao, Guangxing (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Yan, Jingming (Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems)
Peñuelas, Josep (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Zeng, Fanjiang (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Date:	2026
Abstract:	In desert ecosystems, deep-rooted plants like Alhagi sparsifolia contribute not only to wind prevention and sand fixation but also to the transport of carbon into deep soil layers through their root systems. However, the sources and stabilization mechanisms of soil organic carbon (SOC) following plant carbon input remain unclear. This study investigated a dominant A. sparsifolia community at the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert. We analyzed plant traits and the vertical distribution (0-200 cm) of SOC fractions-particulate organic carbon (POC), mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), and calcium/iron-bound organic carbon (Ca/Fe-OC)-along with carbon sources (microbial biomass, microbial necromass, and plant residue). As growth advanced, stem and root biomass increased, while leaf and thorn biomass remained stable. SOC and POC decreased by 5. 38-29. 43% with soil depth, whereas MAOC and Ca/Fe-OC increased by 32. 34-48. 15%. Plant residue contributed more to SOC (average 30. 56%) than microbial necromass (8. 28%), and both contributions increased by 9. 60-167. 68% with soil depth. No significant correlation was found between plant residue and SOC fractions, but a significant correlation with microbial necromass. In conclusion, although plant residues constitute the primary source of SOC in desert ecosystems, microbial necromassa exerts a stronger influence on SOC stability.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Published in:	Plants, Vol. 15, Num. 7 (March 2026) , art. 1030, ISSN 2223-7747

DOI: 10.3390/plants15071030

17 p, 2.0 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles