Mechanisms to mitigate global climate change by sequestering carbon (C) in different 'sinks'
have been proposed as at least temporary measures. Of the major global C pools, terrestrial …

Lignins are amongst the most studied macromolecules in natural environments. During the
last decades, lignins were considered as important components for the carbon cycle in soils …

The decomposition and transformation of above‐and below‐ground plant detritus (litter) is
the main process by which soil organic matter (SOM) is formed. Yet, research on litter decay …

Climate warming affects soil carbon (C) dynamics, with possible serious consequences for
soil C stocks and atmospheric CO2 concentrations. However, the mechanisms underlying …

Key recent developments in litter decomposition research are reviewed. Long-term inter-site
experiments indicate that temperature and moisture influence early rates of litter …

Plant residue is ultimately the source of soil organic matter but occurs as a continuum from
relatively fresh plant tissue to highly evolved components. Nevertheless, the extent to which …

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays critical roles in stabilizing atmospheric CO2 concentration,
but the mechanistic controls on the amount and distribution of SOC on global scales are not …

Our understanding of soil organic matter (SOM) formation and stabilization mechanisms has
evolved recently. The SOM is considered as a continuum from coarse fresh and …

Climate projection requires an accurate understanding for soil organic carbon (SOC)
decomposition and its response to warming. An emergent view considers that environmental …

Lignin is a main component of plant litter. Its degradation is thought to be critical for litter
decomposition rates and the build‐up of soil organic matter. We studied the relationships …