Fig. 6. Conceptual diagram showing dual microbial roles in mediating soil carbon dynamics under experimental warming.
The decreased microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) and more complex microbial network promote soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh), while preferential microbial decomposition of plant-derived carbon leads to accumulation of microbial necromass and thus elevates the proportion of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC). R microbial respiration, G microbial growth.