Organic Matter Degradation across Ecosystem Boundaries: The Need for a Unified Conceptualization.
Trends Ecol Evol
; 36(2): 113-122, 2021 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33168153
ABSTRACT
The global carbon cycle connects organic matter (OM) pools in soil, freshwater, and marine ecosystems with the atmosphere, thereby regulating their size and reactivity. Due to the complexity of biogeochemical processes and historically compartmentalized disciplines, ecosystem-specific conceptualizations of OM degradation have emerged independently of developments in other ecosystems. Recent discussions regarding the relative importance of molecular composition and ecosystem properties on OM degradation have diverged in opposing directions across subdisciplines, leaving our understanding inconsistent. Ecosystem-dependent theories are problematic since properties unique to an ecosystem may change in response to anthropogenic stressors, including climate change. The next breakthrough in our understanding of OM degradation requires a shift in focus towards developing a unified theory of controls on OM across ecosystems.
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1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ecosistema
/
Formación de Concepto
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trends Ecol Evol
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article