Land use effects on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and fluxes in the Pampas: impact on productivity

ALVAREZ, ROBERTO; DE PAEPE, JOSEFINA; STEINBACH, HAYDEE; BERHONGARAY, GONZALO; MENDOZA, MARÍA R.; BONO, ALFREDO; ROMANO, NICOLÁS FRANCISCO

Soil Carbon: Types, Management Practices and Environmental Benefits

Nova Science Publisher Inc

Lugar: New York; Año: 2014; p. 51 - 90

Carbon, a major constituent of structural and energy-releasing organic molecules, is essential to life. A substantial amount of C found in soils is available as soluble organic molecules (SOM) or particulate organic matter (POM) derived from plant primary production. Available atmospheric C as CO2, used by plants during photosynthesis, is part of a larger biogeochemical cycle, including the cyclic release of CO¬2 by respiration in living organisms and its fixation through photosynthesis. Carbon also is fixed through biological calcification and is eventually bound in carbonate-containing rocks, especially in aquatic and marine environments. This book focuses mainly on soil carbon and its environmental benefits.