Shrub encroachment alters microbial community composition and soil carbon and nitrogen cycling functional genes in northern peatlands.

ABSTRACT: Changes in vegetation, such as shrub encroachment in grassland and wetland ecosystems, significantly influence soil microbial communities and biogeochemical processes. However, the specific impact of shrub encroachment on peatland ecosystems remains poorly understood. This study used a "space-for-time" approach, collecting soil samples from three encroachment stages-uninvaded, shrub invasion, and shrub invasion expansion-at two depths (0-30 cm and 30-60 cm). Metagenomic sequencing was used to assess the microbial community composition and functional gene dynamics. Shrub encroachment significantly alters soil physicochemical properties, nutrient availability, and microbial communities. Alpha diversity of bacteria and fungi was influenced by shrub encroachment and depth, whereas beta diversi

SUBMITTER: Ao J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12502596 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature