Drought differently destabilizes soil structure in a chronosequence of abandoned agricultural lands

Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and severity of drought, this has a significant influence on global C cycle as soils are main sink for terrestrial ecosystems. Drought can have serious consequences structural stability soil, which influences protection organic matter stored hence its mineralization. In work we study effects extreme drought event soil Mediterranean annual grasslands developed after abandonment agricultural activity. This was done by building chronosequence abandoned vineyards determining changes aggregates monitoring these parameters three consecutive years permanent plots with different ages abandonment. period time included second year strong positive thermal anomaly, caused destabilization had major impact N cycles. The breakdown left unprotected large amount substrates that were rapidly mineralized when environmental conditions favourable biological repercussions functioning ecosystems, became sources atmospheric CO2, under normal they act sinks. Furthermore, more severe longer periods abandonment, highest accumulated soil.