Carbon

Question 1

Describe how soil respiration is measured and explain why it changes over time after addition of plant residues to soil.

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Question 2

Discuss why the C/N ratio affects residue decomposition rate and N dynamics in soil. How does the C/N ratio of the residues change during decomposition?

Answer 2

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Question 3

Discuss 5 factors influencing soil organic C content.

Answer 3

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Question 4

Explain how SOM influences soil structure directly and indirectly.

Answer 4

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Question 5

List and explain the soil C pools. Explain the figure showing the change in SOC over time when a soil that had been under cropping for ~35 years got switched over to permanent pasture and monitored for another 35 years.

Answer 5

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Question 6

Explain how residue composition and the microbial degrader community change over time. Discuss the changes in soil pH during residue decomposition.

Answer 6

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