Earthworms facilitate carbon sequestration through unequal amplification of carbon stabilization compared with mineralization

Weixin Zhang, Paul F. Hendrix, Lauren E. Dame, Roger A. Burke, Jianping Wu, Deborah A. Neher, Jianxiong Li, Yuanhu Shao and Shenglei Fu ()
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Weixin Zhang: Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Paul F. Hendrix: Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
Lauren E. Dame: Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
Roger A. Burke: US Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Lab, 960 College Station Road
Jianping Wu: Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Nanchang Institute of Technology
Deborah A. Neher: 63 Carrigan Drive, University of Vermont
Jianxiong Li: Guangdong Entomological Institute, Guangdong Academy of Sciences
Yuanhu Shao: Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shenglei Fu: Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystem, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract A recent review concluded that earthworm presence increases CO2 emissions by 33% but does not affect soil organic carbon stocks. However, the findings are controversial and raise new questions. Here we hypothesize that neither an increase in CO2 emission nor in stabilized carbon would entirely reflect the earthworms’ contribution to net carbon sequestration. We show how two widespread earthworm invaders affect net carbon sequestration through impacts on the balance of carbon mineralization and carbon stabilization. Earthworms accelerate carbon activation and induce unequal amplification of carbon stabilization compared with carbon mineralization, which generates an earthworm-mediated ‘carbon trap’. We introduce the new concept of sequestration quotient to quantify the unequal processes. The patterns of CO2 emission and net carbon sequestration are predictable by comparing sequestration quotient values between treatments with and without earthworms. This study clarifies an ecological mechanism by which earthworms may regulate the terrestrial carbon sink.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3576

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