Reduced microbial stability in the active layer is associated with carbon loss under alpine permafrost degradation

2021/06/15 by Minghui Wu, Shengyun Chen, Jianwei Chen +9 · 6 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Climate change and permafrost #Cryospheric studies and observations #Polar Research and Ecology

paper · pdf · doi:10.1073/pnas.2025321118

openalex publication_date 2021/06/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

Permafrost degradation may induce soil carbon (C) loss, critical for global C cycling, and be mediated by microbes. Despite larger C stored within the active layer of permafrost regions, which are more affected by warming, and the critical roles of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in C cycling, most previous studies focused on the permafrost layer and in high-latitude areas. We demonstrate in situ that permafrost degradation alters the diversity and potentially decreases the stability of active layer microbial communities. These changes are associated with soil C loss and potentially a positive C feedback. This study provides insights into microbial-mediated mechanisms responsible for C loss within the active layer in degraded permafrost, aiding in the modeling of C emission under future scenarios.

Citations

• Keystone species and food webs
• Patterns of permafrost formation and degradation in relation to climate and ecosystems
• Permafrost degradation and its environmental effects on the Tibetan Plateau: A review of recent research
• Error and attack tolerance of complex networks
• TOWARD A METABOLIC THEORY OF ECOLOGY

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