The vast stores of soil carbon were released into the atmosphere, adding greatly to greenhouse gases.

Since then there have been several other reports of ectomycorrhizal fungi reducing activity and decomposition rates of free-living decomposers and thereby increasing soil carbon storage.

Soil carbon improves the physical properties of soil.

Mycorrhizal soil inoculation increases soil carbon accumulation by depositing glomalin, which increases soil structure by binding organic matter to mineral particles.

Increasing temperatures facilitate the transfer of soil carbon to growing vegetation on the surface.