Abstract:
Over half of the carbon (C) taking part in the global C cycle is held in terrestrial systems.
Because of the sensitivity of the C cycle to changes in such soil-based pools of carbon, it is
important to understand the basic mechanisms by which soil C is stored and cycled between the
range of di erent pools which occur belowground. In the context of climate change mitigation,
it is considered that increasing soil-based stocks of C, either by reducing losses from soils, or by
actively sequestering new carbon, is a potentially important strategy . Organic carbon is the
main form of carbon in soil and as such has received most focus. Cont/d.