Root Traits Predict the Soil Functional Responses of Subtropical Plant Species to Experimental Drought.

ABSTRACT: Substantial interspecific variation in both drought responses and soil functioning among woody species poses significant challenges for predicting drought impacts on soil functioning in species-rich tropical and subtropical forests. However, critical knowledge gaps remain regarding how soil functions respond to drought across different plant species. We conducted a three-phase (10 months of well-watered conditions, 1 month of drought treatment, and 2 months of rewetting) seedling experiment to assess how drought impacts on eight rhizosphere soil functions related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling vary across 10 woody species. We tested whether plant species' preferences to arid versus moist habitats and functional traits could predict variation in the resistance and recovery of s

SUBMITTER: Wang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12865509 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature