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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3644
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3644
28 Nov 2024
 | 28 Nov 2024

Missing the input: The underrepresentation of plant physiology in global soil carbon research

Sajjad Raza, Hannah V. Cooper, Nicholas T. Girkin, Matthew S. Kent, Malcolm J. Bennett, Sacha J. Mooney, and Tino Colombi

Abstract. Plant processes regulating the quantity and quality of soil organic carbon inputs such as photosynthesis, above- and belowground plant growth, and root exudation are integral to our understanding of soil carbon dynamics. However, based on a bibliometric analysis including almost 50 000 scientific papers, we found that plant physiology has been severely underrepresented in global soil organic carbon research. Less than 10 % of peer-reviewed soil organic carbon research published in the last century addressed plant physiological processes relevant to soil carbon inputs. Similarly, plant physiology was overlooked by the overwhelming majority (>90 %) of peer-reviewed literature investigating linkages between soil organic carbon, climate change, and land use and management. These findings highlight that our understanding of soil carbon dynamics and hence the carbon sequestration potential of terrestrial ecosystems is largely built on research that neglects the fundamental processes underlying organic carbon inputs. We advocate that the active engagement of plant scientists in soil carbon research is imperative to shed light on this blind spot. Long-term interdisciplinary research will be essential to develop a comprehensive perspective on soil carbon dynamics and to inform effective policies that support soil carbon sequestration.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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Sajjad Raza, Hannah V. Cooper, Nicholas T. Girkin, Matthew S. Kent, Malcolm J. Bennett, Sacha J. Mooney, and Tino Colombi

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3644', Stefano Manzoni, 11 Dec 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Tino Colombi, 06 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3644', Grant A. Campbell, 13 Dec 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Tino Colombi, 06 Feb 2025

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3644', Stefano Manzoni, 11 Dec 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Tino Colombi, 06 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3644', Grant A. Campbell, 13 Dec 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Tino Colombi, 06 Feb 2025
Sajjad Raza, Hannah V. Cooper, Nicholas T. Girkin, Matthew S. Kent, Malcolm J. Bennett, Sacha J. Mooney, and Tino Colombi
Sajjad Raza, Hannah V. Cooper, Nicholas T. Girkin, Matthew S. Kent, Malcolm J. Bennett, Sacha J. Mooney, and Tino Colombi

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This is an important forum article highlighting the lack of awareness into plant physiology in global soil carbon research. This issue is highly relevant as much of soil carbon cycling is driven by plant activity, in particular in the rhizosphere or related to plant symbionts. Their results are clear—the large majority of soil carbon studies do not include plant physiology even though a plant physiological perspective could provide novel or more mechanistic insights on soil carbon processes and could inform a new direction in soil carbon modelling.
Short summary
Plant physiology has been addressed by less than 10 % of peer-reviewed soil organic carbon research published in the last century. Thus, our understanding of soil carbon dynamics is overwhelmingly built on research that neglects the fundamental processes underlying organic carbon inputs. The active engagement of plant scientists in soil carbon research is imperative to shed light on this blind spot and to develop holistic policies that support soil carbon sequestration.
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