Above- and belowground succession following multiple-tree mortality in <i>Pinus densiflora</i> forests.

ABSTRACT: Climate-driven tree mortality impacts forest ecosystems, yet studies rarely integrate above- and below-ground processes. Consequently, the temporal dynamics of rhizosphere microbial communities following mortality and their link to vegetation changes remain unclear. This study examined coupled shifts in species composition and rhizosphere microbial communities following multiple-tree mortality events in Pinus densiflora stands. We employed a chronosequence approach by reconstructing tree mortality timing and analyzing temporal changes in above-ground species composition alongside rhizosphere microbial diversity. Random Forest (RF) traced microbial community transitions from healthy to declining and dead trees, identifying core genera indicative of tree health, followed by an analysi

SUBMITTER: Lee SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12872792 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature