Research Keyword: carbon cycling

Editorial: Effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems

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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics are accumulating in soil worldwide and causing problems for the microorganisms that keep soil healthy. This editorial reviews research showing that while newer biodegradable plastic mulches used in farming are better than traditional plastics, both types can weaken the complex networks of beneficial soil microbes. Scientists found bacteria that can break down some plastic chemicals, but long-term solutions require better monitoring and ways to manage plastic residues in agricultural soils.

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Fungal guild interactions slow decomposition of boreal forest pine litter and humus

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In boreal forests, different types of fungi compete with each other to break down dead plant material. This study found that the fungi living in partnership with tree roots actually slow down the decomposition of fresh pine needles, especially after droughts. However, in older, partially decomposed soil material, the fungi associated with tree roots actually speed up decomposition, while fungi associated with shrubs slow it down. These findings suggest that how quickly different types of fungi decompose forest material depends on what type of dead material they are breaking down.

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Necromass of Diverse Root-Associated Fungi Suppresses Decomposition of Native Soil Carbon via Impacts of Their Traits

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When fungi die in soil, their dead remains (necromass) affect how quickly the rest of the soil carbon breaks down. This study found that fungi with dark pigments and certain chemical compositions can actually slow down the decomposition of native soil carbon, helping more carbon stay stored in the soil longer. The researchers identified specific fungal traits like melanin content and growth rates that determine whether fungal remains promote or suppress carbon loss from soil.

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Variation of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content in fungi reflects their ecology and phylogeny

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Scientists analyzed the composition of different mushroom and fungal fruiting bodies to understand how their nutrient content varies. They found that fungi living in soil have much more nitrogen and phosphorus than those decomposing wood, likely because wood naturally contains very few nutrients. The study shows that both where a fungus lives and its evolutionary history affect how much nutrients it accumulates in its tissues.

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Warming and Reduced Rainfall Alter Fungal Necromass Decomposition Rates and Associated Microbial Community Composition and Functioning at a Temperate–Boreal Forest Ecotone

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When soil gets warmer and drier due to climate change, dead fungal biomass breaks down faster at first but slower overall compared to normal conditions. The microorganisms that decompose this fungal material change their composition and abilities depending on how long the decomposition has been happening. This study shows that climate change affects soil carbon cycling in complex ways that depend on timing and environmental conditions.

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The influence of mycorrhizal hyphal connections and neighbouring plants on Plantago lanceolata physiology and nutrient uptake

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Fungi that live in soil form partnerships with plant roots and can extend underground networks connecting multiple plants. In this study, plants with access to expanded fungal networks captured more carbon through photosynthesis, accumulated more nutrients like phosphorus and zinc, and released more carbon into the soil. However, whether neighboring plants were present or what type they were did not significantly change these benefits, suggesting that soil exploration volume matters more than plant-to-plant connections through fungal networks.

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