Abstract
This study investigated the influence of broadleaf and conifer vegetation on soil microbial communities in a distinct vertical distribution belt in Northeast China. Soil samples were taken at 0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm depths from four vegetation types at different altitudes, which were characterized by poplar (Populus davidiana) (1250-1300 m), poplar (P. davidiana) mixed with birch (Betula platyphylla) (1370-1550 m), birch (B. platyphylla) (1550-1720 m), and larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii) (1840-1890 m). Microbial biomass and community structure were determined using the fumigation-extraction method and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, and soil fungal community level physiological profiles (CLPP) were characterized using Biolog FF Microplates. It was found that soil properties, especially soil organic carbon and water content, contributed significantly to the variations in soil microbes. With increasing soil depth, the soil microbial biomass, fungal biomass, and fungal catabolic ability diminished; however, the ratio of fungi to bacteria increased. The fungal ratio was higher under larch forests compared to that under poplar, birch, and their mixed forests, although the soil microbial biomass was lower. The direct contribution of vegetation types to the soil microbial community variation was 12%. If the indirect contribution through soil organic carbon was included, variations in the vegetation type had substantial influences on soil microbial composition and diversity.
Highlights
The microbial community mediates decomposition processes, regulates nutrient cycling, and influences soil functional diversity, and it potentially represents a mechanistic link between plant and ecosystem functions [1,2]
This study selected a distinct belt on Mount Han, where the dominant tree species changed from broadleaf to conifer, to study the influence of vegetation types on soil microbial biomass and compositions
Soil microbial biomass was established as the total content of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) in the soil microbial community (Figure 1), and it decreased as soil depth increased under all four vegetation types
Summary
The microbial community mediates decomposition processes, regulates nutrient cycling, and influences soil functional diversity, and it potentially represents a mechanistic link between plant and ecosystem functions [1,2]. Previous studies suggest that the differences in heterotrophic microbial community structure and function in forest soil are mainly linked with the quality of soil organic matter [10,11,12]. The usability and biochemical composition of litterfall from dominant species affect soil organic matter to a large extent [13,14]. Biotic and environmental forces, which drive the activity, structure, and diversity of soil microbial communities, are controlled by many factors including plant species [17] and edaphic conditions [18,19]. This study selected a distinct belt on Mount Han, where the dominant tree species changed from broadleaf to conifer, to study the influence of vegetation types on soil microbial biomass and compositions. The primary questions addressed were (i) is the soil microbial community affected by the vegetation type or the soil properties to a larger extent as the vegetation varied from broadleaf forests to conifer forests? (ii) Would the biomass and catabolic diversity of fungi response consistently to the variation of vegetation types?
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