ABSTRACT
This chapter evaluates the positive and negative aspects of massive plant invasions on soil carbon emissions and carbon sequestration in soils and opens the perspectives of future investigations. High plant diversity interacts with climate change by increasing nutrient cycling and plant diversity has been shown to increase the soil functions to accumulate soil carbon. Biodiversity loss leads to various effects on biotic and abiotic soil characteristics due to less effective nutrient use and water retention, changes in aggregate stability, leaching, or erosion and may consequently decrease the carbon storage capability. Massive plant invasion commonly leads to a strong increase in biomass and litter production. Evidence suggests that nutrient cycling is commonly accelerated, as litter quality is often enhanced due to massive plant invasion. This may prevent the storage of additional organic matter in the soil. The chapter concludes that invasive plants influence soil carbon storage and cycling but not in a unidirectional manner.
