Comment on "The whole-soil carbon flux in response to warming".

Xiao, Jing; Yu, Fangjian; Zhu, Wanying; Xu, Chenchao; Zhang, Kaihang; Luo, Yiqi; Tiedje, James M; Zhou, Jizhong et al. · Science · 2018

editorial · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

In a compelling study, Hicks Pries <i>et al</i> (Reports, 31 March 2017, p. 1420) showed that 4°C warming enhanced soil CO<sub>2</sub> production in the 1-meter soil profile, with all soil depths displaying similar temperature sensitivity (Q<sub>10</sub>). We argue that some caveats can be identified in their experimental approach and analysis, and that these critically undermine their conclusions and hence their claim that the strength of feedback between the whole-soil carbon and climate has been underestimated in terrestrial models.