Does soil absorb more carbon than trees and how does climate influence soil organic matter content?
@ RK, no, more carbon is stored in the soil than in all plants, animals and the atmosphere combined. Soil organic matter levels commonly increase as mean annual precipitation increases. Climate indirectly affects soil formation through its influence on organisms as well. High temperatures and rainfall increase the degree of weathering and therefore the extent of soil development. Increase of rainfall increase organic matter content, decrease pH, increase leaching of basic ions, movement of clay etc. Conditions of elevated levels of soil moisture result in greater biomass production, which provides more residues, and thus more potential food for soil biota.
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