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