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- Title
Diversity of Microbial Functional Genes Promotes Soil Nitrogen Mineralization in Boreal Forests.
- Authors
Zhang, Xiumin; Zhang, Huayong; Wang, Zhongyu; Tian, Yonglan; Tian, Wang; Liu, Zhao
- Abstract
Soil nitrogen (N) mineralization typically governs the availability and movement of soil N. Understanding how factors, especially functional genes, affect N transformations is essential for the protection and restoration of forest ecosystems. To uncover the underlying mechanisms driving soil N mineralization, this study investigated the effects of edaphic environments, substrates, and soil microbial assemblages on net soil N mineralization in boreal forests. Field studies were conducted in five representative forests: Larix principis-rupprechtii forest (LF), Betula platyphylla forest (BF), mixed forest of Larix principis-rupprechtii and Betula platyphylla (MF), Picea asperata forest (SF), and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica forest (MPF). Results showed that soil N mineralization rates (Rmin) differed significantly among forests, with the highest rate in BF (p < 0.05). Soil properties and microbial assemblages accounted for over 50% of the variability in N mineralization. This study indicated that soil environmental factors influenced N mineralization through their regulatory impact on microbial assemblages. Compared with microbial community assemblages (α-diversity, Shannon and Richness), functional genes assemblages were the most important indexes to regulate N mineralization. It was thus determined that microbial functional genes controlled N mineralization in boreal forests. This study clarified the mechanisms of N mineralization and provided a mechanistic understanding to enhance biogeochemical models for forecasting soil N availability, alongside aiding species diversity conservation and fragile ecosystem revitalization in boreal forests.
- Subjects
RESTORATION ecology; FOREST protection; NITROGEN in soils; MICROBIAL genes; TAIGAS
- Publication
Microorganisms, 2024, Vol 12, Issue 8, p1577
- ISSN
2076-2607
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/microorganisms12081577