Water content alters soil organic carbon metabolism via microbial traits in Tibetan alpine peatlands.

ABSTRACT: Alpine peatlands on the eastern Tibetan Plateau are vital carbon sinks, with soil moisture playing a key role in peatland carbon cycling. However, they face disruptions in their carbon balance due to drought, which reduces soil water content. Therefore, this study investigated microbially driven water-carbon interactions through field surveys, laboratory incubations, and metagenomics. Soil drying contributes to changes in both the metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and the microbial quotient (Cmic: Corg), as well as the microbial abundance. As the soil water content decreased, both qCO₂ and Cmic: Corg exhibited an overall increasing trend. Moreover, soil water content had a more significant effect on soil bacteria, while its effect on fungi and archaea was minimal. Soil microb

SUBMITTER: Jiang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12311200 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature