The vegetation-tidal gradient regulates sediment organic carbon stabilization via microbial transformation and iron-mediated mineral protection in Yangtze Estuary wetlands.
Estuarine wetlands are important 'blue carbon' sinks, yet their carbon storage exhibits pronounced spatial heterogeneity. The mechanisms by which vegetation distribution and tidal flooding affect sediment organic carbon (SOC) content and stabilization remain unclear. Here, we analyzed the SOC fractions, microbial commu...