Effects of broadleaved tree species on soil microbial stoichiometry in clear-cut patches of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation

Abstract

Investigating the response of soil microbial biomass and ecological stoichiometry to tree species transition is of great significance for understanding soil nutrient cycling and availability in forest ecosystems. We measured soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), phosphorus (MBP) and their stoichiometry across 0-40 cm soil depth between Mytilaria laosensis and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations by the chloroform fumigation extraction method, which were replanted after the harvest of C. lanceolata plantation. The results showed that soil MBC in the 0-10 cm layer and soil MBN and MBP in the 0-20 cm layer under the M. laosensis were significantly higher than those under the C. lanceolata. The MBC/MBP in the 0-20 cm layer and MBN/MBP in the 10-20 cm layer were significantly lower under the M. laosensis plantation. The MBC/MBN showed no significant differences between the two forests. Soil moisture, organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus were positively correlated with MBC, MBN and MBP, but negatively correlated with MBC/MBP and MBN/MBP. Results of stepwise linear regression analysis showed that MBN and MBP were mainly affected by soil total nitrogen and available phosphorus, while MBC/MBP and MBN/MBP were mainly driven by available phosphorus and organic carbon, respectively. Our results indicated that tree species transition from C. lanceolata to M. laosensis could increase soil microbial biomass in the surface layers, accelerate soil nutrients turnover and enhance soil nutrient supply. The increases of MBP under M. laosensis indicate alleviation of soil phosphorus limitation for tree growth.