Organic matter stabilization and ecosystem functions: proceedings of the fourth conference on the mechanisms of organic matter stabilization and destabilization (SOM-2010, Presqu’île de Giens, France)

Abstract

A better knowledge of soil organic matter (SOM) stabilisation and destabilisation processes may help improving soil management strategies and practices to optimize ecosystem services such as organic carbon (C) storage and mitigation of greenhouse gases, improvement of soil structure and protection against erosion, sustainability of soil fertility (Lal 2004). A series of international conferences on the mechanisms of organic matter stabilization and destabilization was launched in 2003 in Hohenkammer in Germany (Kogel-Knabner et al. 2005). The next editions took place in Asilomar in 2005 (Sollins et al. 2007) and in Glenelg, near Adelaide, Australia in 2007 (Smernik and Skjemstad 2009). This special issue of Biogeochemistry, presents in 10 articles some of the results from the fourth edition of these conferences (SOM-2010), which took place on 19–23 September 2010 in the Presqu’ile de Giens, France. This edition was organized by the soil organic matter group of the Bioemco laboratory (Biogeochemistry and Ecology of Continental Ecosystems) based in Thiverval-Grignon, France, and was entitled ‘‘Organic matter stabilization and ecosystem functions’’. It was also part of the series of conferences of the group Molter (Molecular structures as drivers and tracers of terrestrial C fluxes), an ESF-funded research networking programme for the 2008–2013 period. The conference was attended by 177 delegates (including 65 students) from 21 countries, with most from France, Germany and USA. This fourth conference was specifically dedicated to ecological aspects of OM stabilization and destabilization mechanisms in sediments and soils.