Root Production and Microbe-Derived Carbon Inputs Jointly Drive Rapid Soil Carbon Accumulation at the Early Stages of Forest Succession

Plants and microbes are the primary drivers in affecting the formation and accrual of soil organic carbon (SOC) for natural ecosystems. However, experimental evidence elucidating their underlying mechanisms for SOC accumulation remains elusive. Here, we quantified plant and microbial contributions to SOC accrual in successional subtropical forests by measuring leaf-, root-, and microbial biomarkers, root and leaf litter inputs, and microbial C decomposition. The long-term monitoring results showed that SOC accumulated rapidly at the early-successional stage, but changed little at the mid- and late-successional stages. SOC accrual rate was positively correlated with fine-root production and microbial C turnover, but negatively with annual litterfall. Biomarker data exhibited that the rapid SOC accumulation was jointly driven by root- and microbe-derived C inputs from the early- to mid-successional stages. In contrast, aboveground litterfall considerably contributed to soil C accrual from the mid- to late-successional stages compared to belowground processes, although SOC accumulation is low. Our study revealed the importance of root production and microbial anabolism in SOC accrual at the early stages of forest succession. Incorporating these effects of belowground C inputs on SOC formation and accumulation into earth system models might improve model performance and projection of long-term soil C dynamics.