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<p>Microbial necromass carbon (MNC) contributes a substantial portion of the organic carbon pool, accounting for 15–80% of soil organic carbon (SOC). Emerging evidence suggests that MNC may be more readily metabolized by soil microorganisms than previously recognized, with its stability strongly modulated by environmental change and microbial traits. In this review, we examine the numerous knowledge gaps concerning microbial necromass destabilization and propose future research directions to address these gaps. We specifically highlight that MNC is inherently “fragile.” Even with partial protection within aggregates or through association with minerals, environmental perturbations can accelerate its degradation via mechanisms such as aggregate disruption, mineral desorption, and stimulation of microbial activity. We further examine the dynamics of MNC instability under environmental change caused by: (i) exogenous nutrient inputs (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus); (ii) soil properties (e.g., structure and moisture regimes); (iii) climate change effects (e.g., warming, freeze–thaw cycles, and drying–rewetting events); and (iv) anthropogenic activities (e.g., tillage, land-use change, and grazing). Looking ahead, future research should focus on: (i) supplement new biomarkers and quantitative methods for these biomarkers to more accurately quantify the degradation rate of MNC; (ii) uncover the mechanisms of MNC binding and desorption with minerals under environmental changes; (iii) elucidate the driving mechanisms behind the ecological specificity of MNC. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of the turnover and destabilization of MNC, and provide new insights for future research on stable SOC pools.</p>

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The vulnerability of microbial necromass carbon: Loss pathways, microbial mechanisms, and factors of its destabilization

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月28日

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  • Jiahua Liu,
  • Xiaodong Nie,
  • Shilan Wang,
  • Na Ran,
  • Weiwei Zhang,
  • Yue Chen,
  • Zhongwu Li

摘要

Microbial necromass carbon (MNC) contributes a substantial portion of the organic carbon pool, accounting for 15–80% of soil organic carbon (SOC). Emerging evidence suggests that MNC may be more readily metabolized by soil microorganisms than previously recognized, with its stability strongly modulated by environmental change and microbial traits. In this review, we examine the numerous knowledge gaps concerning microbial necromass destabilization and propose future research directions to address these gaps. We specifically highlight that MNC is inherently “fragile.” Even with partial protection within aggregates or through association with minerals, environmental perturbations can accelerate its degradation via mechanisms such as aggregate disruption, mineral desorption, and stimulation of microbial activity. We further examine the dynamics of MNC instability under environmental change caused by: (i) exogenous nutrient inputs (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus); (ii) soil properties (e.g., structure and moisture regimes); (iii) climate change effects (e.g., warming, freeze–thaw cycles, and drying–rewetting events); and (iv) anthropogenic activities (e.g., tillage, land-use change, and grazing). Looking ahead, future research should focus on: (i) supplement new biomarkers and quantitative methods for these biomarkers to more accurately quantify the degradation rate of MNC; (ii) uncover the mechanisms of MNC binding and desorption with minerals under environmental changes; (iii) elucidate the driving mechanisms behind the ecological specificity of MNC. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of the turnover and destabilization of MNC, and provide new insights for future research on stable SOC pools.