Climate change cannot be entirely responsible for soil carbon loss observed in England and Wales, 1978–2003

  1. PETE SMITH1,
  2. STEPHEN J. CHAPMAN2,
  3. W. ANDY SCOTT3,
  4. HELAINA I. J. BLACK2,
  5. MARTIN WATTENBACH1,
  6. RONNIE MILNE4,
  7. COLIN D. CAMPBELL2,
  8. ALLAN LILLY2,
  9. NICK OSTLE3,
  10. PETER E. LEVY4,
  11. DAVID G. LUMSDON2,
  12. PETER MILLARD2,
  13. WILLIE TOWERS2,
  14. SÖNKE ZAEHLE5,
  15. JO U. SMITH1

Article first published online: 19 SEP 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2007.01458.x

Issue

Global Change Biology

Global Change Biology

Volume 13, Issue 12, pages 2605–2609, December 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

SMITH, P., CHAPMAN, S. J., SCOTT, W. A., BLACK, H. I. J., WATTENBACH, M., MILNE, R., CAMPBELL, C. D., LILLY, A., OSTLE, N., LEVY, P. E., LUMSDON, D. G., MILLARD, P., TOWERS, W., ZAEHLE, S. and SMITH, J. U. (2007), Climate change cannot be entirely responsible for soil carbon loss observed in England and Wales, 1978–2003. Global Change Biology, 13: 2605–2609. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2007.01458.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK,

  2. 2

    The Macaulay Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK,

  3. 3

    CEH Lancaster, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK,

  4. 4

    CEH Edinburgh, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QB, UK,

  5. 5

    LSCE CE L'Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, Cedex, France

* Prof. Pete Smith, tel. + 44 1224 272702, fax + 44 1224 272703, e-mail: pete.smith@abdn.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 SEP 2007
  2. Article first published online: 19 SEP 2007
  3. Received 1 February 2007; revised version received 21 June 2007 and accepted 3 July 2007

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Keywords:

  • climate change;
  • decomposition;
  • soil organic carbon;
  • soil organic matter;
  • temperature sensitivity

Abstract

We present results from modelling studies, which suggest that, at most, only about 10–20% of recently observed soil carbon losses in England and Wales could possibly be attributable to climate warming. Further, we present reasons why the actual losses of SOC from organic soils in England and Wales might be lower than those reported.

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