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Tree species richness and mycorrhizal types drive soil nitrogen cycling by regulating soil microbial community composition and diversity in tropical forests.

Tree species richness and mycorrhizal types drive soil nitrogen cycling by regulating soil microbial community composition and diversity in tropical forests.

Authors :
Chen, Shulei
Lin, Luxiang
Deng, Yun
Yuan, Shengdong
Zhang, Naili
Source :
Forest Ecology & Management; Oct2024, Vol. 569, pN.PAG-N.PAG, 1p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

A growing body of evidence indicates that tree mycorrhizal association and species richness pronouncedly affect soil nitrogen (N) cycling. However, most studies have been conducted in temperate forests, and the roles of soil microbial communities have been largely overlooked. Here, based on 11 long-term dynamic monitoring sites in tropical forests, we investigated the effects of the dominance of trees associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) (by basal area) and tree species richness on soil N cycling, and explored the role of soil bacteria, archaea and fungi. Our results showed contrasting effects of AM tree dominance and tree species richness, with AM tree dominance-induced increases in soil ammonium N, nitrate N and the rate of net N nitrification, and tree species richness-caused decreases in ammonium N, nitrate N, the rate of net N mineralization and ammonification. Moreover, we found that the "plant-soil-microbe" interactions mainly triggered the changes in net N mineralization, ammonification and nitrification. It was mainly bacterial composition that directly affected soil N mineralization and ammonification, while fungal diversity only changed soil N ammonification. For soil N nitrification, the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) was the main drivers. These findings reveal the discrepancy in effects of the AM tree dominance and tree species richness on soil N cycling, highlighting microbe-mediated mechanisms in regulating soil N mineralization, ammonification and nitrification. • AM tree dominance and tree species richness oppositely affected soil N cycling. • AM tree dominance and tree species richness modulated soil microbiome. • Microbes were crucial in mediating tree effects on soil N cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
03781127
Volume :
569
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Forest Ecology & Management
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179260925
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122187