The Research Dialogue

Abstract:

                 Soil temperature impacts terrestrial ecosystem fertility and regulates mineral weathering and soil organic matter (SOM) turnover. It affects nutrient transformation like N, P, and K, which are crucial for plant growth. However, the variation in soil temperature across different climates and soil types is often overlooked in global fertility assessments. Soil temperature ranges from 75 °C in deserts to 0 °C in polar areas, with annual variations being more significant than air temperature in tropical regions. It also varies by depth, often exceeding air temperature in tropical and polar zones. Increased warming and vegetation do not ensure shorter fallow periods or enhanced soil fertility. Research has mainly concentrated on permafrost and elevation, revealing a gap in understanding. Temperature-sensitive processes like microbial activity and nutrient release are also influenced by soil moisture. In the southern Great Plains, assessments indicate that drought from global warming may hinder nutrient acquisition, delaying ecosystem recovery. (M. Melillo et al., 2017)(Salazar et al., 2020)(S. A. Johnston et al., 2018)

Keywords: Soil temperature, soil organic matter, Soil Fertility, Mechanisms.