Both priming and temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition depend on microbial biomass - An incubation study

► We studied the effect of temperature and fresh litter addition on bulk soil carbon. ► Litter addition increased decomposition of soil derived C (positive priming). ► Relative stimulation was similar at different temperature treatments. ► Along the entire incubation time temperature sensitivity rose in amended soils. ► Substrate complexity is not the most important determinant for temperature sensitivity.