A study published in Global Change Biology highlights the significant role of microbial necromass in soil organic carbon (SOC). The research demonstrates that microbial necromass can account for more than half of the SOC in temperate agricultural, grassland, and forest ecosystems. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the primary sources of persistent organic matter in soil and emphasizes the importance of microbial biomass and necromass in soil carbon storage. The study uses a combination of biomarker amino sugar data, ecological systems approaches, and elemental carbon-nitrogen stoichiometry to quantify the contribution of microbe-derived carbon to SOC. The results suggest that microbial necromass is a major component of SOC, and that future soil management should focus on promoting microbial biomass formation and necromass preservation to maintain healthy soils and ecosystems. The study also has important implications for improving climate and carbon models, as well as for developing management practices and policies. The research underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of microbial processes in soil carbon cycling and highlights the importance of microbial necromass in global carbon sequestration. The study also identifies uncertainties in the quantification of microbial necromass and suggests that further research is needed to better understand the role of microbial necromass in soil carbon dynamics. The findings have significant implications for soil management and climate change mitigation strategies.A study published in Global Change Biology highlights the significant role of microbial necromass in soil organic carbon (SOC). The research demonstrates that microbial necromass can account for more than half of the SOC in temperate agricultural, grassland, and forest ecosystems. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the primary sources of persistent organic matter in soil and emphasizes the importance of microbial biomass and necromass in soil carbon storage. The study uses a combination of biomarker amino sugar data, ecological systems approaches, and elemental carbon-nitrogen stoichiometry to quantify the contribution of microbe-derived carbon to SOC. The results suggest that microbial necromass is a major component of SOC, and that future soil management should focus on promoting microbial biomass formation and necromass preservation to maintain healthy soils and ecosystems. The study also has important implications for improving climate and carbon models, as well as for developing management practices and policies. The research underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of microbial processes in soil carbon cycling and highlights the importance of microbial necromass in global carbon sequestration. The study also identifies uncertainties in the quantification of microbial necromass and suggests that further research is needed to better understand the role of microbial necromass in soil carbon dynamics. The findings have significant implications for soil management and climate change mitigation strategies.