Journal article
Microbial Decomposition of Lignin to Methane Reduces Net Blue Carbon Benefit Across China's Saltmarshes
Global change biology, Vol.32(8), e71059
08/2026
PMID: 42605509
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Abstract
CH4emissions from mangrove, saltmarsh, and seagrass ecosystems partially offset carbon sequestration, potentially diminishing the climate mitigation capacity of these blue carbon habitats. However, a mechanistic understanding of the processes governing CH4production potential across large spatial scales remains limited. By integrating incubation-based measurements from 116 sites, we reveal significant ecosystem-specific differences in CH4 production potential, with saltmarshes emerging as CH4 production hotspot relative to mangroves and seagrass meadows. Using an integrated analytical approach encompassing more than 30 environmental, biogeochemical, and microbial parameters, we demonstrate that CH4 production potential converges on sediment organic carbon availability, particularly plant-derived carbon, as a key regulatory axis. Additionally, metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) recovered from saltmarshes show a functional bias toward lignin degradation, thereby fueling downstream CH4 production via methylotrophic pathways. Lignin-addition and stable carbon isotope experiments further provide supportive evidence that lignin decomposition enhances Chinese saltmarsh CH4 production potential, revealing a pathway that may reduce net blue carbon benefit. Together, these findings underscore that saltmarsh plant-derived lignin is less stable than conventionally assumed, as microbial processing redirects stored carbon toward CH4 production, challenging current blue carbon accounting frameworks at a continental scale within China.
Details
- Title
- Microbial Decomposition of Lignin to Methane Reduces Net Blue Carbon Benefit Across China's Saltmarshes
- Creators
- Leilei Xiao - Chinese Academy of SciencesChuancheng Fu - King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyIsaac R Santos - University of GothenburgCarlos M Duarte - King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyJian Liu - Dezhou UniversityLifeng Zhou - Chinese Academy of SciencesMeng Zhou - Chinese Academy of SciencesRun Dang - Chinese Academy of SciencesJinkuo Lin - Shandong Normal UniversityKai Xiao - Chinese Academy of SciencesYongming Luo - Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangxuan Han - Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Publication Details
- Global change biology, Vol.32(8), e71059
- Publisher
- Wiley; HOBOKEN
- Grant note
- National Key Research and Development Program in China. Grant Number: 2022YFF0802101, National Natural Science Foundation of China. Grant Numbers: U2106209, 42077025, 42277236, 41991330, Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Grant Number: 2021213, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Grant Number: YICE3510303, Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE) Program.
- Identifiers
- 991013396934602368
- Copyright
- © 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Academic Unit
- National Marine Science Centre; National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article