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SOC formation, distribution, persistence
- Understand spatial patterns of plant primary production in the UK
- Capture nationally relevant soil microbial taxa and genes which impact on SOC formation and persistence
- Recognise that plant roots contribute more to SOC formation than leaf litter
- Include two distinct phases of ‘persistent’ SOC with finite (mineral-associated) and unlimited (particulate) capacities
- Include two dynamic soil zones (upper plant dominated and lower mineral-matrix dominated) that vary with land cover and management
- Capture interactions and feedbacks of biotic (microbes, mesofauna, mycorrhiza) and abiotic (texture, structure, hydraulics) components of soil and their impacts on SOC formation, distribution and persistence.
Opportunities for wider community
- Workshops on dynamics of SOC in UK systems
- Community of practice for SOC modelling, sharing resources through the UK-SCAPE Virtual Data Labs
- Access to UKCEH models and integrated data products through the UK-SCAPE Data Science Framework.