Clarifying the accumulation and decomposition of soil organic carbon (SOC) is crucial for comprehending carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. SOC enrichment and decomposition lead to the fractionation of stable carbon isotopes, a complex process influenced by various factors, including microbes. However, this fractionation process during early soil formation and the role of microorganisms remain poorly explored. This study investigated the relative composition of stable carbon isotopes (δ¹³C) of recently formed biological soil crusts (BSCs) on stabilized sand dunes in the Tengger desert, northern China. A notable increase in δ¹³C was observed during early BSC development, likely driven by cyanobacteria's direct fixation of CO₂. Yet, δ¹³C values of BSCs gradually declined, approaching those of soils under native vegetation, probably linked to microbial succession within the BSCs. This finding highlights the potential microbial influence on early soil carbon turnover and underscores the effectiveness of isotope tracers for studying this process.
 

drylands; microbial activity; stable carbon isotope; sandy soils; soil organic carbon