Global Ecology and BiogeographyVolume 22, Issue 6 p. 737-749 Research Paper A global analysis of soil microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in terrestrial ecosystems Xiaofeng Xu, Corresponding Author Xiaofeng Xu Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831 USA Correspondence: Xiaofeng Xu, Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethal Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA. E-mail: xux4@ornl.govSearch for more papers by this authorPeter E. Thornton, Peter E. Thornton Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831 USASearch for more papers by this authorWilfred M. Post, Wilfred M. Post Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831 USASearch for more papers by this author Xiaofeng Xu, Corresponding Author Xiaofeng Xu Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831 USA Correspondence: Xiaofeng Xu, Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethal Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA. E-mail: xux4@ornl.govSearch for more papers by this authorPeter E. Thornton, Peter E. Thornton Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831 USASearch for more papers by this authorWilfred M. Post, Wilfred M. Post Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831 USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 28 December 2012 https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12029Citations: 524Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Aim To estimate the concentrations, stoichiometry and storage of soil microbial biomass carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) at biome and global scales. Location Global. Method We collected 3422 data points to summarize the concentrations and stoichiometry of C, N and P in soils, soil microbial biomass at global and biome levels, and to estimate the global storage of soil microbial biomass C and N. Results The results show that concentrations of C, N and P in soils and soil microbial biomass vary substantially across biomes; the fractions of soil elements C, N and P in soil microbial biomass are 1.2, 2.6 and 8.0%, respectively. The best estimates of C:N:P stoichiometry for soil elements and soil microbial biomass are 287:17:1 and 42:6:1, respectively, at global scale, and they vary in a wide range among biomes. The vertical distribution of soil microbial biomass follows the distribution of roots up to 1 m depth. Main conclusions The global storage of soil microbial biomass C and N were estimated to be 16.7 Pg C and 2.6 Pg N in the 0–30 cm soil profiles, and 23.2 Pg C and 3.7 Pg N in the 0–100 cm soil profiles. We did not estimate P in soil microbial biomass due to insufficient data and insignificant correlation between soil total P and climate variables used for spatial extrapolation. The spatial patterns of soil microbial biomass C and N were consistent with those of soil organic C and total N, i.e. high density in northern high latitude, and low density in low latitudes and the Southern Hemisphere. Citing Literature Supporting Information Filename Description geb12029-sup-0001-si.docx2.8 MB Figure S1 Spatial distribution of major biomes across the globe. Figure S2 Histograms showing frequency of soil elements. Figure S3 Histograms showing frequency of soil microbial biomass C, N and P. Figure S4 Histograms showing frequency of ratios between soil elements. Figure S5 Histograms showing frequency of ratios between soil microbial biomass C, N and P. Figure S6 Box and scatter charts showing distributions and magnitudes of C, N and P in microbial biomass and soil and fractions of soil nutrient in soil microbial biomass. Figure S7 Box and scatter charts showing distributions and magnitudes of C, N and P in microbial biomass and soil and fractions of soil nutrient in soil microbial biomass in 11 major biomes. Figure S8 Observed versus retrieved climate variables for the sampling sites. Figure S9 Scatterplot showing soil organic C and soil microbial biomass C along latitude. Figure S10 Scatterplot showing soil organic N and soil microbial biomass N along latitude. Figure S11 Scatterplot showing soil organic P and soil microbial biomass P along latitude. Figure S12 C:N ratios for soil elements and soil microbial biomass along latitude. Figure S13 C:P ratios for soil elements and soil microbial biomass along latitude. Figure S14 N:P ratios for soil elements and soil microbial biomass along latitude. Table S1 The values of parameters describing vertical distribution of soil microbial biomass C and N in soil profile. Table S2 Values of parameters used to estimate global soil microbial biomass C and N (standard errors in the brackets; N is the numbers of data points used in multiple linear regression). Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Volume22, Issue6June 2013Pages 737-749 RelatedInformation