Root carbon inputs outweigh litter in shaping grassland soil microbiomes and ecosystem multifunctionality.

ABSTRACT: Global change has the potential to alter soil carbon (C) inputs from above- and below-ground sources, with subsequent influences on soil microbial communities and ecological functions. Using data from a 13-year field experiment in a semi-arid grassland, we investigated the effects of litter manipulations and plant removal on soil microbiomes and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF). Litter addition did not affect soil microbial α-diversity whereas litter removal reduced bacterial and fungal α-diversity due to decreased C substrate supply and soil moisture. By contrast, plant removal led to larger declines in bacterial and fungal α-diversity, lower microbial network stability and complexity. EMF was enhanced by litter addition but largely reduced by plant removal, primarily attributed to the

SUBMITTER: Feng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11659613 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature