Decomponology : A board game for understanding soil carbon dynamics

Abstract Soils sustain life and regulate global carbon cycling, yet the processes governing soil organic matter dynamics are inherently complex, involving multiple pathways and positive and negative feedbacks. Traditional concepts such as humus often portrayed soil carbon as a static pool whose persistence was attributed largely to the inherent biochemical recalcitrance of organic substrates. In contrast, current science emphasizes a dynamic system shaped by inputs, biotic and abiotic transformations, protection mechanisms, and fluxes among organic matter pools. Decomponology is a board game that translates this complexity into a tangible and participatory framework. Players explore soil carbon dynamics within soil organic matter by moving carbon tokens among plant litter, particulate, dissolved, and mineral‐associated organic matter pools, including losses through emissions or leaching. Spinning wheels represent probabilistic decomposition pathways mediated by soil biota. Event cards introduce specific examples of carbon movement mediated by soil organisms, as well as environmental variability, disturbances, and management decisions. By making soil processes tangible through play, Decomponology promotes systems thinking and critical engagement with soil–ecosystem interactions, offering an adaptable tool for higher education, science communication, and sustainability discussions.