Vegetation Succession Research Articles

Metagenomic insights into inhibition of soil microbial carbon metabolism by phosphorus limitation during vegetation succession

Abstract There is growing awareness of the need for regenerative practices in the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change. Yet, we lack a mechanistic understanding of how microbial community composition and functioning are likely to change alongside transition from high-density tillage to large-scale vegetation restoration. Here, we investigated the functional dynamics of microbial communities following a complete vegetation successional chronosequence in a subtropical zone, Southwestern China, using shotgun metagenomics approaches. The contents of total soil phosphorus (P), available P, litter P, and microbial biomass P decreased significantly during vegetation succession indicating that P is the most critical limiting nutrient. The abundance of genes related to P-uptake and transport, inorganic P-solubilization, organic P-mineralization, and P-starvation response regulation significantly increased with successional time, indicating an increased microbial “mining” for P under P limitation. Multi-analysis demonstrated microbial P limitation strongly inhibits carbon (C) catabolism potential, resulting in a significant decrease in CAZyme family gene abundances. Nevertheless, over successional time, microorganisms increased investment in genes involved in degradation-resistant compounds (lignin and its aromatic compounds) to acquire P resources in the litter. Our study provides functional gene-level insights into how P limitation during vegetation succession in subtropical regions inhibits soil microbial C metabolic processes, thereby advancing our understanding of belowground C cycling and microbial metabolic feedback during forest restoration.

Vegetation Succession for 12 Years in a Pond Created Restoratively.

The Najeoer Pond was created in a rice paddy as a part of a plan to build the National Institute of Ecology. To induce the establishment of various plants, the maximum depth of the pond was 2.0 m, and diverse depths were created with a gentle slope on the pond bed. When introducing vegetation, littoral and emergent vegetation were first introduced to stabilize the space secured for the creation of the pond, whereas the introduction of other vegetation was allowed to develop naturally. In this pond, floating, emergent, wetland, and littoral plants have been established to various degrees, reflecting the water depth and water table. As a result of stand ordination, based on vegetation data obtained from the created Najeoer Pond and a natural lagoon selected as the reference site, the species' composition resembled that of the reference site. Diversity, based on vegetation type, community, and species, tended to be higher than that of the reference site. The proportion of exotic species increased due to the disturbance that occurred during the pond creation process but continued to decrease as the vegetation introduced during the creation of the pond became established. Considering these results comprehensively, the restorative treatment served to increase both the biological integrity and ecological stability of the pond and, thus, achieved the creation goal from the viewpoint of the pond structure.

Impact of growing conditions on vegetation, development and reproductive success of <i>Orchis purpurea</i> Huds. in the South-Eastern Crimea

The individual and population parameters of lady orchis — Orchis purpurea Huds. (Orchidaceae) under different growing conditions are compared. The onthogenetic type of cenopopulations, age, efficiency, recovery indices, vitality of individuals, plasticity index are determined. The largest number of plants is noted in forest communities. Demographical and morphological parameters differ nonsignificantly. Slight fluctuations in the vitality of individuals are noted depending on the habitat and the conditions of the growing season. The pollination success of plants in steppe biotopes is much higher than that in forest biotopes: the average fruit set in steppe biotopes was 39.63 %, in forest biotopes — 4.97—5.84 %. However, it did not affect reproductive success, the main indicator of which is the presence of new generations of plants: in all studied cenopopulations, a high proportion of individuals of the pregenerative period was noted. It is established that O. purpurea has a wide ecological amplitude and high adaptability to various conditions. It can grow in different habitats without changing morphological, demographic and ontogenetic parameters.

Soil Respiration in Anthropogenic Disturbed Ecosystems Compared to Deciduous Forests in the Urban Industrial Area

In urban industrial area, mining activity directly affects the dynamic of carbon, and consequently, the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. The main objective of this research is to study the impact of most important abiotic environmental factors on soil respiration in post-coalmine ecosystems. The moisture and temperature of the soil, along with CO2 outflow from the soil, were measured over three consecutive seasons, using 92 samples from coalmine heaps and 10 samples from deciduous forests in the same urban industrial region. Based on a survey of 396 species, a cluster analysis distinguished all deciduous and 22 forest plots grown on coalmine heaps from herbaceous plots from same coalmine heaps. The lowest soil respiration rate (0.62 mg CO2 per hour per square meter) was recorded in the herbaceous vegetation class on coalmine heaps, compared to (0.76 mg and 0.96 mg) from coalmine-heap forests and deciduous forests, respectively. Species richness and diversity positively affected soil respiration in heap herbaceous plots, though this effect was less pronounced in forests grown on coalmine heaps and in deciduous mixed forests. Unlike soil water content, soil temperature negatively correlated with soil respiration on coalmine heaps, diverging from the well-studied positive impact of soil temperature and respiration in deciduous mixed forests. Our spatial and temporal analyses emphasize that the water content of the substrate is the most significant abiotic element that affects the soil respiration on coalmine heaps positively during early vegetation succession.

Habitat requirements of Luronium natans (L.) Raf. in northern Belgium

We investigated the environmental range of Luronium natans populations in lower Belgium (Flanders) with particular focus on key factors influencing its population size and the interplay of nutrient availability and physical disturbances in determining its abundance. Soil calcium content and total phosphorus in the water layer were the only physical-chemical variables related to L. natans abundance. Physical water body and vegetation characteristics influenced population dynamics and incidence of reproductive strategies. The species has a ruderal character, and occurs early in vegetation succession or depends on regular physical disturbance events for prolonged presence. Presenting limited competitive abilities, especially in terms of light availability, the species is hindered by taller-growing vegetation. Large populations are typically associated with well-lit conditions. Its flexibility to switch between vegetative and generative reproduction strategies may be associated with nutrient and light conditions. The need for long-term monitoring to consider population dynamics and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts is emphasized. Overall, our study provides further insight into the relation between abiotic conditions, population dynamics and conservation management and extends the basis for sustainable management of the remaining L. natans populations in Flanders and similar regions of Atlantic Europe.

Environmental changes and human impacts over the past 1200 years: Evidence from high-resolution pollen records from peat in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Southwest China

Over the past millennium, the understanding of vegetation and climate changes in mountainous regions, driven by both natural and anthropogenic forces, remains unclear. In this study, we provide a high-resolution vegetation record spanning the past 1200 years from a subalpine peatland in the Niangniang Mountains, southwestern China. By analyzing pollen, charcoal, and loss-on-ignition from the peat sediment, we elucidate the interactions between vegetation, fire, and human impact. Our findings reveal that before 1150 CE, the mountains were covered with dense broadleaf forests and experienced minimal human activity. Natural forcings, primarily climatic conditions, drove vegetation succession and forest fires. After 1150 CE, the Human Influence Index (HII) increased sharply, coinciding with a rise in cereal-type pollen. Significant agricultural activities in the southwestern mountainous regions of China began after 1150 CE, which is later than those in the low-altitude lake basins of southwestern China. During the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA, 836–1400 CE), the Niangniang Mountains were characterized by warm and humid climatic conditions, a stable forested landscape, and a high peat carbon accumulation rate. Although human activities increased markedly during this period, the arbors did not undergo notable changes, and climate forcings continued to have a greater impact on vegetation than anthropogenic forcings. During the Little Ice Age (LIA, 1400–1900 CE), the regional vegetation landscape transitioned from dense forests to open grasslands as climate conditions became cold and dry, reducing peat carbon accumulation rate. This period also saw increased forest fires and significant human-driven deforestation, with anthropogenic forcings becoming dominant. After 1900 CE, vegetation changes were increasingly influenced by government policies. Comparison with major climate forcings and spectrum analysis have shown that variations in monsoon intensity, regulated by solar and volcanic activity, have influenced the climate and peat depositional environment in the Niangniang Mountains. Our research offers meaningful insights into forest conservation in the mountainous regions of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.

Measuring Temporal Change in Scrub Vegetation Cover Using UAV-Derived Height Maps: A Case Study at Two UK Nature Reserves.

Measuring the outcome of practical interventions and actions helps to inform conservation management objectives and assess progress towards objectives and targets. Measuring success also informs future management by identifying actions that are effective and those that are not. Scrub vegetation is an important habitat type in terrestrial ecosystems, providing important shelter and food resources for biodiversity and livestock. Much of practical land management in the UK involves the monitoring and management of scrub, and current drone-based methods of scrub collection requires expensive equipment or complex methods. A 2021 paper determined a cheap and simple way to determine scrub levels, and this could potentially be used to map temporal changes, as well as identify directional change in scrub. This study looks at whether the method outlined in the 2021 study could be used to measure temporal and directional changes in scrub cover on two nature reserves in the UK: Daneway Banks in Gloucestershire and Flat Holm Island in the Severn Estuary. Scrub levels at Daneway Banks increased from 14.63% in 2015 to 16.52% in 2017, before decreasing to 14.89% in 2021 due to managed cutting and clearing. Scrub cover at Flatholm Island decreased from 10.18% in 2019 to 8.71% in 2021. The exact locations of scrub growth and loss for each site was also calculated and mapped. This approach was found to be a viable way of measuring temporal and directional change in scrub levels. The data can also be used to reframe changes in scrub levels as a shift towards vegetation succession or reduction, to better visualise how changes in scrub levels affect overall site management goals, and is a cheaper, more accessible alternative to current methods of measuring temporal vegetation changes.

Synergistic Mechanisms of Plant Phosphorus (P) Resorption and Microbial P‐Limitation Affecting Soil P During Grassland Vegetation Succession

AbstractPhosphorus (P), a crucial element for all life forms on Earth, is often insufficiently available in terrestrial ecosystems. The interaction and feedback between plants and soil microorganisms are crucial links integrating above‐ and below‐ground ecosystems. However, changes in soil P fractions in response to plant‐microbe interactions during vegetation succession remain poorly understood. This study investigated the trends and relationships between plant resorption, microbial properties, and soil P fractions in the transformation interface soil layer (TIS) and underlying topsoil layer (UTS) during grassland vegetation succession. The results point to a combination of soil properties, alongside microbial and plant factors driving soil P changes. However, the TIS and UTS layers differ, with phosphorus dynamics in the TIS layer primarily influenced by microorganisms. Microorganisms are co‐limited by C and P in both the TIS and UTS layers. Under microbial P‐limitation, microorganisms produce alkaline phosphatases (AP), while C deficiency stimulates the production of C‐acquiring enzymes, subtly regulating soil P dynamics through organic matter decomposition. Plant P resorption efficiency and microbial P‐limitation exhibit synergistic variations, reaching their lowest levels during the mixed Bothriochloa ischaemum and Stipa bungeana Trin (Bo.I + St.B) stage. This study emphasizes that P cycling is influenced by plant‐microbe‐soil interactions and feedback. Plants and soil microorganisms jointly regulate soil nutrient effectiveness and partitioning in the ecosystem.

Late-Holocene ecosystem dynamics on Weizhou Island, China: A pollen and historical record of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances

Understanding the mechanisms behind landscape diversity changes on islands, particularly due to historical human interventions, remains a critical challenge in paleoecology. This study addresses this gap by utilizing over 160 pollen samples combined with multi-proxy data and historical records to reconstruct the late-Holocene ecological and environmental dynamics of Weizhou Island, China, over the last 1400 years. Our analyses reveal the evolution of ecosystem diversity and vegetation succession amid climatic fluctuations and anthropogenic pressures, identifying four distinct phases of transformation: (1) A warm and dry climate from 1400 to 850 cal yr BP fostering a savanna ecosystem; (2) A shift to a North subtropical seasonal rainforest under a more humid climate between 850 and 210 cal yr BP, with increased vegetation diversity; (3) The initiation of agriculture and aquaculture, along with a cooler climate from 210 cal yr BP to 1970 CE, marked by human-induced landscape alterations; and (4) A significant transformation from a once-diverse ecosystem to artificial protective forests from 1970 CE to the present. By correlating environmental indicators with historical accounts across eight Chinese dynasties, our study provides detailed insights into the climatic and human factors shaping the island's history. The findings demonstrate that while climatic shifts are primary drivers of biodiversity changes, anthropogenic disturbances also play a significant role. This research underscores the resilience of ecosystems to both climatic and human pressures and emphasizes the importance of integrating historical context into environmental studies.

Soil Formation on Loamy Deposits in Technogenic Landscapes of the Taiga Zone in the North-Eastern Part of European Russia

The paper highlights the influence of moisture on the soil formation process on loamy deposits during the primary vegetation succession. The study was carried out in the north-eastern part of European Russia (Komi Republic) in the middle taiga subzone. The authors analyzed young soils on the territory of a quarry for extraction of loamy grounds and background soils in the vicinity of it. Planting the Siberian spruce cultures on the territory of the quarry activated formation of the tree layer and thereby accelerated formation of the zonal type soils. The third succession decade in drained conditions saw formation of organic soil horizons (litters), a decrease in soil density in the upper profile part, a tendency to redistribute and differentiate the silty fraction by one-and-a-half oxides, indicating the beginning of selective podzolization. The rise in soil moisture content increased conservation of organic residues (peat formation) and made gley formation active. The quarry soils, like background soils, increased in acidity, carbon and nitrogen reserves along with the soil moisture content increase. In automorphic soil formation conditions, the rate of organic carbon accumulation in the upper 0–20-cm layer is 0.4 t· ha–1·year1; the excessive soil moisture content further increased it (1.0–1.2 t·ha–1·year1). The reserves of Corg in the upper 20-cm soil layer of young soils are by 2–4 times less than those in background soils.

Assessing the change in soil water deficit characteristics from grassland to forestland on the Loess Plateau

Soil moisture is an important factor that affects terrestrial ecosystems and biological growth and development, and water deficit is one of the major environmental factors threatening vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau. The purpose was to identify the change in the soil water deficit characteristics from grassland to forestland on the Loess Plateau. In this study, we measured the soil water storage and deficit in abandoned grassland, shrubland, pioneer forestland and climax forestland along with vegetation succession in situ monitor. The results showed that the soil water content and the soil water storage with natural vegetation recovery from the abandoned grassland to shrubland and forestland showed a gradual declining trend. While on the contrary, the soil water deficit was increasing during succession, it was more severe in the deep soil than in the shallow soil layers. And the soil water deficit in July and September of the rainy season as well as that the vigorous growing period of plants was more serious than that in May and November, which are in the non-rainy season on the Chinese Loess Plateau. The vegetation types and soil depth were the key factors affecting the soil water deficiency status in the process of vegetation succession. Water-saving measures should be taken during the vigorous growing period of plants especially for those forest with natural restoration ages >50a on the Loess Plateau. The results could have great potential in the sustainable development of forestry and provide a theoretical basis for effective water management and reasonable vegetation restoration in semiarid loess regions.

Reconstructing the rapid transitions of ecosystems during the mid-late Holocene: A pollen record from Haixing wetland in Bohai Bay, North China

Vegetation in coastal regions is sensitive to climate and sea-level changes. However, currently there is still a lack of understanding about the stability of the Holocene coastal ecosystem and the rapid conversion processes of different coastal wetland ecosystems. In this study, the high-resolution vegetation succession history of the southwest coast of Bohai Bay during the mid-late Holocene was revealed, based on pollen analysis and REVEALS model, and the rate of vegetation change was estimated. Furthermore, the characteristics and mechanisms of different ecosystem changes were explored. The results indicate that there was a prolonged transition from shallow sea to lagoon before the formation of the Haixing wetland during the interval of 7500–4100 cal yr BP. The rate of watershed vegetation change increase significantly under the common influence of the 4.2 ka event and human activities, causing a regime shift in the mountain forest ecosystems and a decrease in landscape resilience. It was characterized by a substantial reduction in broad-leaved forests (from>30% to<5%), especially for Quercus (∼3%), which have not recovered to pre-event levels since the end of the 4.2 ka event. Since 3500 cal yr BP, the Haixing area was completely detached from the influence of the Bohai Sea, forming freshwater wetlands. The local vegetation rapidly shifted from alkali-tolerant communities that followed the sea retreat to freshwater marsh plant communities. During 2000–1100 cal yr BP, under the strong impact of human activities, the succession of forest and grassland communities in the basin became more frequent. The area of coastal salt marshes expanded, with salt-tolerant plant communities taking the absolute advantage. The wetland vegetation landscape became closer to the modern appearance. Overall, our study provides new evidence for understanding the rapid evolution of coastal ecosystems in East Asia influenced by a combination of climate, hydrology and humans. It will help guide the coastal regions in facing the challenges of future global climate changes.

Population status and ecology of the globally threatened liverwort Marsupella profunda Lindb. in Britain

ABSTRACT Introduction Marsupella profunda Lindb. is known from Britain, Portugal and Macaronesia. Its population status and ecology in Britain were investigated. Methods An inventory of records of Marsupella profunda was prepared, and surveys were conducted at a subset of sites. Population size was measured by counts of ‘individual-equivalents’, defined as occupied 1 m grid cells. Habitat and community composition were recorded by relevés. Key results and conclusions Marsupella profunda is confined to habitat created by china clay quarrying, and mostly occurs on kaolinised granite. It is one of the earliest colonists of this substrate. The longevity of habitat patches is limited mainly by competitive exclusion by other bryophytes and excessive shade from scrub development. It has been recorded from six sites in West Cornwall but presently survives at only one of these, where it will likely become extinct within the next 20 years due to vegetation succession. In East Cornwall, an enormous complex of active and disused quarries within the St Austell China Clay Region supports a large population (10,000–20,000 individual-equivalents), but this is declining because china clay production has decreased greatly over the past 30 years. Attempts to conserve the species by the special protection of areas of land have failed because the quarrying process that originally supplied fresh suitable substrate no longer operates in these areas, habitat management measures have been insufficient, and scrub development has progressed. The future of the species in Britain depends on the uncertain future of commercial quarrying in areas of kaolinised granite in Cornwall.

Runoff and erosion reduction benefits of vegetation during natural succession on fallow grassland slopes

Vegetation restoration is an effective and important measure for controlling soil erosion in arid and -arid regions. Both its aboveground and underground parts play a crucial role in controlling surface runoff and soil detachment on slopes. But how much the parts of vegetation contribute to the runoff and sediment reducing benefits of rill erosion on slopes is unclear. We used grassland slopes at four successional stages for simulated scouring experiments to observe how successional vegetation community structures, root characteristics, and soil structures contribute to erosion and sand production. Initial flow production time increased, and total runoff decreased. Under the scour intensities, the 11-year slope had the lowest flood peak and volume and the greatest runoff reduction benefit. The 25-year slope had the lowest sand peak and volume and the greatest sediment reduction benefit. As scour intensity increased, runoff reduction effect of vegetation at the successional stages decreased; the sediment reduction benefit remained high. PLS-PM analysis showed that the indirect effects of the aboveground and underground parts of vegetation on sand production were −0.364 and −0.439, respectively. Aboveground parts mainly embodied the regulation of runoff, in which stem count, humus mass, and biomass were the main factors affecting runoff and sand production. Underground parts mainly reflected their soil structure improvement, in which root volume density, root surface area density, and root mass density are the main explanatory variables. The direct effects of runoff and soil structure on slope rill erosion were 0.330 and −0.616, respectively, suggesting the stability of soil structure is the primary factor affecting the sand production, not erosion energy. The results provide a reference for scientific assessment of the key role of natural vegetation restoration in regional soil erosion control and the development of biological measures for soil and water conservation on the slopes of the Loess Plateau.

First Red List of Ecosystems assessment of a tropical glacier ecosystem to diagnose the pathways towards imminent collapse

Abstract Tropical glaciers are rapidly disappearing, particularly in isolated mountain peaks below 5,000 m elevation. These glaciers are fundamental substrates for unique cryogenic ecosystems in high tropical environments where the ice, melting water and rocky substrate sustain microbiological communities and other meso- and macro-biota. This study uses the Red List of Ecosystems guidelines to diagnose the collapse of the tropical glacier ecosystem of the Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela. We undertook the assessment with existing estimates of glacier ice extent, indirect historical estimates of ice mass balance and global mechanistic models of future ice mass balance. We complemented these with additional statistical analysis of trends and bioclimatic suitability modelling to calculate and predict rates of decline and relative severity of degradation in selected ecosystem indicators. The evidence suggests an extreme risk of collapse (Critically Endangered) because of a prolonged and acute reduction in ice extent and changes in climatic conditions that are leading to the complete loss of ice mass. The ice substrate has declined 90% in the last 20 years, and observed acceleration of the rate of decline suggests it will probably disappear within the next 5 years. Loss of ice substrate will trigger an immediate loss of supraglacial, englacial and subglacial biotic compartments and initiate a decades-long succession of forefield vegetation. However, ongoing inventories of native biota and monitoring of ecosystem transitions can provide valuable insights and lessons for other ecosystems facing similar risks. The Red List of Ecosystems assessment protocol provides a useful framework for comparative analysis of cryogenic ecosystems.

Long-term directional changes in urban bird communities of Mar del Plata City, Argentina

Urban environments have been characterized by their temporal stability of resources, which could promote stability in bird composition. Several studies have found that bird communities in urban environments persist over the years, showing a similar species composition in the short term. However, studies analyzing continuous changes in urban communities over the long term are scarce. This study aimed to analyze the stability or directional changes (instability) in bird communities along an urban gradient. Bird counts were conducted in urban, suburban, and periurban areas over 8-10 years in 2002-2019. Changes in species composition were analyzed over periods ranging from one year to the next, to changes from one year to the seventeenth. Urban bird communities were more similar between years than suburban and periurban communities. Compositional changes were greater as time lags increased, indicating directional compositional shifts. The magnitude of these changes was similar across the urban gradient. The Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango), the Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro), the Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus), and the Red-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris) significantly increased their abundances during the period, while the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) significantly decreased its abundance. Regional changes in species abundance, urban vegetation succession, and biotic interactions could explain the changes in bird communities.

Effects of plant nutrient acquisition strategies on biomass allocation patterns in wetlands along successional sequences in the semi-arid upper Yellow River basin.

The ecological environment of wetlands in semi-arid regions has deteriorated, and vegetation succession has accelerated due to climate warming-induced aridification and human interference. The nutrient acquisition strategies and biomass allocation patterns reflect plant growth strategies in response to environmental changes. However, the impact of nutrient acquisition strategies on biomass allocation in successional vegetation remains unclear. We investigated 87 plant communities from 13 wetland sites in the semi-arid upper Yellow River basin. These communities were divided into three successional sequences: the herbaceous community (HC), the herbaceous-shrub mixed community (HSC), and the shrub community (SC). The nutrient composition of stems and leaves, as well as the biomass distribution above and belowground, were investigated. Results revealed that aboveground biomass increased with succession while belowground biomass decreased. Specifically, SC exhibited the highest stem biomass of 1,194.53 g m-2, while HC had the highest belowground biomass of 2,054.37 g m-2. Additionally, significant positive correlations were observed between leaf and stem biomasses in both HC and SC. The nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents within aboveground parts displayed an evident upward trend along the succession sequence. The highest N and P contents were found in SC, followed by HSC, and the lowest in HC. Stem N was negatively correlated with stem, leaf, and belowground biomass but positively correlated with root-shoot ratio. Leaf P displayed positive correlations with aboveground biomass while showing negative correlations with belowground biomass and root-shoot ratio. The ratios of C:N, C:P, and N:P in stem and leaf exhibited positive correlations with belowground biomass. The random forest model further demonstrated that stem N and leaf P exerted significant effects on aboveground biomass, while leaf P, stem N and P, and leaf C:P ratio had significant effects on belowground components. Additionally, the root-shoot ratio was significantly influenced by leaf P, leaf C:P ratio, and stem N, P, and C:P ratio. Therefore, the aboveground and belowground biomasses exhibited asynchronism across successional sequences, while plant nutrient acquisition strategies, involving nutrient levels and stoichiometric ratios, determined the biomass allocation pattern. This study offers valuable insights for assessing vegetation adaptability and formulating restoration plans in the semi-arid upper Yellow River basin.

The effect of mosses on the relocation of SOC and total N due to soil erosion and percolation in a disturbed temperate forest

Forests cover one-third of the global land and are important components of carbon and nitrogen cycling. Anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest road systems or skid trails for timber harvesting, can dramatically change the nutrient cycling in these ecosystems. Skid trails increase soil erosion and thus the displacement of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (Nt). Additionally, runoff transports high amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which can have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. One of the most important countermeasures against soil erosion is the quick recolonization of vegetation. To date, the extent to which natural vegetation succession influences the relocation of SOC and Nt, and in particular the role of mosses in this context, has not been well investigated. This study investigates the influence of natural vegetation succession and in particular of mosses on the displacement process of SOC and Nt as well as DOC caused by soil erosion. To this end, we combine the results of a field study using in-situ rainfall simulations with small-scale runoff plots in skid trails of the Schönbuch Nature Park in southwestern Germany with the results of ex-situ rainfall simulation experiments with infiltration boxes containing the substrate from the respective skid trails. The eroded sediments of skid trails were on average enriched in SOC by 16% and in Nt by 35% compared to the original soil, which lead to a decrease of the C/N ratio in sediments. As vegetation succession progressed, the displacement of SOC and Nt was reduced, confirmed by a negative correlation between the enrichment ratios of SOC (ERSOC), Nt and total vegetation cover. However, mosses tended to reduce ERSOC more than vascular plants. Additionally, mosses significantly decreased DOC concentration in surface runoff compared to bare soils, while no difference in DOC concentration in percolated water could be observed. Future research should explore the role of mosses in the storage of SOC and Nt in the soil and their impact on soil stability. Thus, utilizing mosses could potentially minimize environmental impacts from soil disturbances in forests.

Quantifying the biodiversity and ecosystem service outcomes of karst ecological restoration: A meta-analysis of South China Karst

Decades of restoration efforts have greened South China Karst, the largest and most concentrated karst area in the world. However, it is unknown whether and how the observed increase in vegetation coverage could enhance biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services (ES). In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of 108 studies with 6505 observations to quantify the influence of karst ecological restoration on biodiversity and ES provision and to uncover key factors that may influence restoration outcomes. We found that restored karst lands on average provided 29 % and 18 % higher biodiversity and ES than degraded karst lands, respectively, but 14 % and 29 % lower than intact reference karst lands. However, the outcomes of karst ecological restoration were mediated by restoration strategy, vegetation type, and restoration age. Natural restoration actions often had more positive effects on biodiversity and ES than reconstructive restoration actions. Karst restoration outcomes also increased with the progress of vegetation succession and increasing restoration age. Furthermore, ES outcomes were positively correlated with biodiversity outcomes, demonstrating the importance of incorporating the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship into karst restoration actions. Overall, our study suggests that karst ecological restoration has substantial potential to improve biodiversity and the provision of ES, but restoration outcomes are context-dependent. These findings may inform evidence-based decision making for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in karst regions, especially with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030 underway.

Long-term vegetation succession enhances the network complexity and stability of soil protozoan communities

Long-term vegetation succession is critical for the improvement of environmental quality and the restoration of ecosystem functions. As key links in the micro-food web, protozoa are widespread in the soil and are important participants in nutrient cycling and energy transfer. However, the effects of vegetation succession on soil protozoan communities compared to those on other soil microbial communities, such as bacteria and fungi, remain largely unknown. Here, a long-term vegetation succession sequence of approximately 160 years was selected to investigate the evolutionary characteristics and drivers of soil protozoan diversity, network stability, and community assembly processes. Soil protozoan alpha diversity increased significantly with vegetation succession, and beta diversity differed significantly between early and late successional stages. Microbial biomass is a key driver of soil protozoan diversity. In addition, the network robustness and complexity of soil protozoa increased significantly and stabilized during late successional stages. Soil microbes played a direct role in protozoan network stability, whereas abiotic factors played an indirect role, reflecting the trophic cascade in soil micro-food webs. The relative contributions of deterministic processes to the community assembly of soil protozoa increased progressively with vegetation succession, owing to multiple eco-selective mechanisms arising from environmental changes. Our results highlight the bottom-up effects of soil microbes on secondary consumer communities during natural restoration, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of soil micro-food web diversity and stability across environmental gradients.