Linna Chen , Quanxin Zeng , Qiufang Zhang , Biao Zhu , Yuexin Fan , Xiaochun Yuan , Yuehmin Chen
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Tropical and subtropical forests store over one-third of global soil carbon (C), substantially influencing global C-climate feedback. However, whether low phosphorus (P) availability and microbial P deficiency in these ecosystems limit soil organic C (SOC) sequestration remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of 8–9 years of nitrogen (N) addition on SOC content and its microbial mechanisms in a subtropical Moso bamboo forest. We observed that long-term N addition reduced both microbial necromass C (MNC) and SOC contents, while it increased microbial P demand as indicated by the changes in P-cycling genes and phosphatase activity. Genes and enzymes related to P-cycling were identified as the important drivers of SOC content. A structural equation model further showed that N addition-induced higher microbial P demand negatively affected SOC content. This effect was both direct and indirect, the latter via promoting microbial C demand, which subsequently negatively affected MNC and SOC contents. Altogether, our findings suggest that microbial P deficiency is detrimental to SOC storage, offering novel perspectives on the coupling of soil C and P cycling via microbial mechanisms.
期刊介绍:
Applied Soil Ecology addresses the role of soil organisms and their interactions in relation to: sustainability and productivity, nutrient cycling and other soil processes, the maintenance of soil functions, the impact of human activities on soil ecosystems and bio(techno)logical control of soil-inhabiting pests, diseases and weeds.