Drought Disrupts Soil Microbes' Ability to Capture Carbon
The ability of soils to capture and store carbon is essential for mitigating climate change, but a new study has found that droughts are disrupting this process by reducing the activity of key soil microbes. The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, shows that extreme droughts can reduce the ability of soil microbes to capture and store carbon, leading to more carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. This could accelerate climate change, as well as reduce crop yields and increase the risk of wildfires. The findings emphasize the need for better drought management and improved soil management practices to help mitigate climate change and protect our planet’s soils.
source: Phys.org