Spatial variations of the relationships between bacterial diversity and forest ecosystem multifunctionality in the Qinling Mountains, China

Despite the importance of soil bacterial diversity in regulating ecosystem functions and services is increasingly recognized, it is still unclear how the relationships of bacterial diversity-ecosystem multifunctionality changes in spatial pattern. Here, combining spatial analysis methods of GIS and geostatistics analysis with bacterial community, based on the differences in the dominant forest types (Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata, Pinus armandi and Soft-broad mix) in the Qinling Mountains, we revealed the spatial distribution patterns of bacterial composition and diversity, and forest ecosystem multifunctionality. Moreover, the spatial variations the relationships of bacterial diversity-multifunctionality were evaluated. Our findings indicated bacterial diversity and multifunctionality in three forests exhibited a similar pattern, with Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata forest > Soft-broad mix forest > Pinus armandi forest. Form spatial perspective, bacterial diversity was higher in the southern region, followed by northeast. Forest ecosystem multifunctionality decreased from the southwest to the northeast. We also observed direct positive effects of bacterial diversity and dominant taxa on forest multifunctionality. The relationship of bacteria-multifunctionality exhibited significant spatial variations, a positive correlation remained predominant in spatial dimension. Overall, this study highlights the changing characteristics of the connections between bacteria and forest multifunctionality under the regulation of vegetation, climate, geographical features and their interactions. The application of geospatial analysis methods to microorganism-ecosystem function offered valuable insights for predicting microbial spatial distribution and protecting forest ecosystems.