Forest expansion on grassland affects soil carbon protection

Abandonment of mountain grasslands followed by progressive forest expansion is a widespread phenomenon in mountain areas of Europe. Grassland abandonment can affect the accumulation of carbon in the soil and its susceptibility to external disturbances. The quantity and degree of protection of the carbon in soil decreased due to forest expansion on grassland in a study area in the Southern Alps (Trentino, Italy). The forest expansion caused a higher vulnerability of soil carbon to decomposition and climate change-induced perturbations.