What is it about?
The proportion of carbon uptake used for microbial growth relative to respiration (carbon use efficiency; CUE) affects the strength of permafrost carbon-climate feedback. We found that microbial CUE increased after abrupt permafrost thaw due to altered microbial communities and improved soil phosphorus availability. This increase in microbial CUE indicates more deposition of microbial products into soils, which could enhance soil carbon stability.
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Why is it important?
Abrupt permafrost thaw is generally considered to trigger large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. This study provides direct experimental evidence that soil microorganisms allocate a larger proportion of carbon to growth relative to respiration, which favors stable soil carbon formation. The results suggest microbial mechanisms potentially weaken soil carbon emission, highlighting the necessity of considering microbial effects on soil carbon cycling.
Perspectives
This work provides evidence for microbial physiological responses to abrupt permafrost thaw based on regional-scale investigations. I think the finding is important to improve our understanding of microbial mechanisms underlying permafrost carbon cycle.
Yuanhe Yang
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Increased microbial carbon use efficiency upon abrupt permafrost thaw, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, August 2025, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2419206122.
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