Diurnal temperature variation in surface soils: an underappreciated control on microbial processes.

ABSTRACT: Large diurnal temperature changes (ΔT) (or the diurnal temperature range (DTR)) in surface soils, ranging from 5°C to often greater than 20°C, are generally acknowledged to occur yet largely disregarded in studies that seek to understand how temperature affects microbially-mediated carbon and nitrogen cycling processes. The soil DTR is globally significant at depths of 30 cm or less, occurring from spring through summer in temperate biomes, during summer periods in the arctic, and year-round in the tropics. Thus, although temperature has long been considered an important factor in controlling microbial processes, our understanding of its effects remains incomplete when considering natural soil temperature cycles. Here we show: (1) documented impacts of diurnal temperature changes on microb

SUBMITTER: Sanford RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11688295 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature