The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $1.65 million across a team of researchers at five institutions that includes Shawn Fraver, associate professor of forest ecology at the University of Maine School of Forest Resources, to study methane sinks in Northern Forests. The total award to UMaine is $239,679. Methane is second only to carbon dioxide […]
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Scientists Just Discovered a Hidden Pattern in Soil s Carbon Emissions
14 MAY 2021
Modeling the future consequences of climate change requires a huge number of calculations based on a vast amount of factors, including how well microbes in soil might hold onto carbon – something that s much more complicated than originally thought.
In new research, scientists combined field measurements with computer modeling to show significant seasonal shifts in microbial activity and the production of carbon dioxide, as differences in temperature and precipitation shifted around the year.
Not only might this help us to better predict future warming of the planet, it might also help us to control it – by keeping these seasonal variations down to a minimum, the amount of carbon kept trapped in the earth could be increased.
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IMAGE: San Diego State University ecologists found that seasonal fluctuations in temperature lead to a corresponding fluctuation in soil microbial populations, and increased carbon emissions. view more
Credit: SDSU
As humans, the weather where we live influences our energy consumption. In climates where weather shifts from hot summers to very cold winters, humans consume more energy since the body has to work harder to maintain temperature.
In much the same way, weather influences microbes such as bacteria and fungi in the soil. Seasonal fluctuations in soil temperature and moisture impact microbial activities that in turn impact soil carbon emissions and nutrient cycles.