Pyrogenic carbon: a panacea for restoration of below-ground ecosystem function?

火是一种常见的干扰因子，通过影响地上和地下的过程来驱动生态系统功能，如群落结构、养分有效性、微生物动力学和土壤有机质稳定性。热原碳（PyC）是影响这些不同土壤生物地球化学相互作用的主要火灾残留物。PyC也被认为具有很强的抗分解性，在火灾后的100年到1000年都存在于土壤中。这两个事实使PyC成为自然扰动的重要遗留底物。尽管它很重要，但我们对不同生态系统中PyC的含量及其对地上和地下功能的影响知之甚少。最近的文献表明，PyC是全球C循环的一个重要组成部分，但尚未得到充分研究，其来源在所有陆地生态系统中，并储存在陆地和海洋环境中。生物炭是一种人造的PyC替代品，两者都是更广泛的黑C （BC）连续体的一部分。更好地了解BC连续体的这些组成部分如何影响地下过程对于将这种材料应用于生态系统恢复是必要的。

Fire is a common disturbance agent that drives ecosystem function by influencing both above- and below-ground processes, such as community structure, nutrient availability, microbial dynamics, and soil organic matter stabilization. Pyrogenic carbon (PyC) is the main residue of fire that influences these different soil biogeochemical interactions. PyC is also believed to be highly resistant to decomposition, residing in soil for 100's to 1000's of years post-fire. These two facts make PyC a significant legacy substrate of natural disturbance. Despite its significance, we know surprisingly little about the amount of PyC in different ecosystems or its influence on above- and below-ground function. Recent literature suggests that PyC is an important, yet understudied component of the global C cycle with sources in all terrestrial ecosystems and storage in terrestrial and marine environments. Biochar is a human made surrogate for PyC, both of which are part of the broader Black C (BC) continuum. A better understanding how these components of the BC continuum affect below-ground processes is necessary for applying this material to ecosystem restoration. The long-term goals of my research program are to quantify BC in western Canadian ecosystems to help with global C accounting, and to examine how BC influences ecosystem function in natural and human disturbed areas. Many heavily managed ecosystems are no longer allowed to burn at regular intervals and therefore are not receiving regular additions of BC. Biochar could be used to help emulate the effects of fire in these managed ecosystems. Through the study of BC, this research will generate a better understanding of plant, soil, and microbe interaction, recovery from fire, soil carbon sequestration after fire, and how these processes might be applied to ecosystem management and restoration. Land reclamation is particularly important in the Canadian north which has experienced rapid industrial growth related to oil and gas development, mineral exploration, and mining. In the future, large areas will require land reclamation and restoration of ecological function. I believe that BC will have an integral role in stimulating pre-adapted recovery strategies causing successful restoration to happen more quickly. Findings from this research will influence reclamation practice and therefore will be of high importance for federal and provincial governments, industry, and reclamation practitioners.