Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils
Abstract Thawing permafrost soils are predicted to release substantial amounts of carbon by 2100. In addition to this, warming-induced active-layer deepening and increased rooting depth may result in further carbon losses from previously-frozen soil by stimulating microbial communities through fresh...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58845-9 |
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| author | Nina L. Friggens Gustaf Hugelius Steven V. Kokelj Julian B. Murton Gareth K. Phoenix Iain P. Hartley |
| author_facet | Nina L. Friggens Gustaf Hugelius Steven V. Kokelj Julian B. Murton Gareth K. Phoenix Iain P. Hartley |
| author_sort | Nina L. Friggens |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Thawing permafrost soils are predicted to release substantial amounts of carbon by 2100. In addition to this, warming-induced active-layer deepening and increased rooting depth may result in further carbon losses from previously-frozen soil by stimulating microbial communities through fresh carbon inputs inducing positive rhizosphere priming. While models based on temperate data predict significant permafrost carbon loss through rhizosphere priming, data from permafrost soils are lacking. Here, we provide direct evidence of live plant-induced positive rhizosphere priming in permafrost and active-layer soils across diverse soil types from Arctic and Subarctic Canada. By 13CO2 labelling plants in a controlled environment, we show that root activity increases carbon loss from previously frozen soils by 31%. This rhizosphere priming effect persists longer in permafrost than in active-layer soils, suggesting greater vulnerability of permafrost carbon. These findings underscore the urgency of incorporating plant–soil–microbe interactions into models predicting greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e2feeb05651a4006b1c41a599a435451 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-e2feeb05651a4006b1c41a599a4354512025-08-20T02:28:09ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116111010.1038/s41467-025-58845-9Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soilsNina L. Friggens0Gustaf Hugelius1Steven V. Kokelj2Julian B. Murton3Gareth K. Phoenix4Iain P. Hartley5Department of Geography, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of ExeterDepartment of Physical Geography, Stockholm UniversityNorthwest Territories Geological Survey, Government of the Northwest TerritoriesDepartment of Geography, University of SussexPlants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of SheffieldDepartment of Geography, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of ExeterAbstract Thawing permafrost soils are predicted to release substantial amounts of carbon by 2100. In addition to this, warming-induced active-layer deepening and increased rooting depth may result in further carbon losses from previously-frozen soil by stimulating microbial communities through fresh carbon inputs inducing positive rhizosphere priming. While models based on temperate data predict significant permafrost carbon loss through rhizosphere priming, data from permafrost soils are lacking. Here, we provide direct evidence of live plant-induced positive rhizosphere priming in permafrost and active-layer soils across diverse soil types from Arctic and Subarctic Canada. By 13CO2 labelling plants in a controlled environment, we show that root activity increases carbon loss from previously frozen soils by 31%. This rhizosphere priming effect persists longer in permafrost than in active-layer soils, suggesting greater vulnerability of permafrost carbon. These findings underscore the urgency of incorporating plant–soil–microbe interactions into models predicting greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58845-9 |
| spellingShingle | Nina L. Friggens Gustaf Hugelius Steven V. Kokelj Julian B. Murton Gareth K. Phoenix Iain P. Hartley Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils Nature Communications |
| title | Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils |
| title_full | Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils |
| title_fullStr | Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils |
| title_short | Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils |
| title_sort | positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58845-9 |
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