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Nature 433, 204-205 (20 January 2005) | doi:10.1038/433204a; Published online 19 January 2005

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Climatology:  Will soil amplify climate change?

David Powlson1

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It had been thought by some that rising atmospheric temperatures would have no effect on the rate at which carbon is released from the soil. A study that revisits the data behind this theory now finds otherwise.

Knorr et al.1 in this issue (page 298) claim that rising temperatures brought about by climate change will cause microorganisms in the world's soils to decompose organic matter more rapidly, releasing extra carbon dioxide (CO2) and accelerating climate change. This may seem unsurprising — a basic property of most biological processes is that they proceed faster with rising temperature, provided that other factors do not become limiting.

  1. David Powlson is in the Agriculture and Environment Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK.
    e-mail: Email: david.powlson@bbsrc.ac.uk

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