TY - JOUR

T1 - Tree diversity affects temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition in rhizosphere

AU - Gao, Fei

AU - Gao, Dandan

AU - Ning, Chen

AU - Liu, Shuguang

AU - Kuzyakov, Yakov

AU - Smith, Andy

AU - Yan, Wende

PY - 2025/4/15

Y1 - 2025/4/15

N2 - Background and aimsTree diversity strongly regulates organic matter inputs by rhizodeposition for microorganisms and microbial communities, impacting soil carbon (C) dynamics and stability. Because of much larger organic C availability in the rhizosphere, it can respond differently to tree diversity compared to bulk soil. To explore soil C stability under global warming, we assessed the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of organic matter decomposition in rhizosphere and bulk soil depending on tree diversity.MethodsQ10 of organic matter decomposition in rhizosphere and bulk soil in a subtropical forest were examined using short-term incubation under controlled conditions depending on tree diversity. Fine root traits and soil C and N availability were evaluated as related to microbial properties.ResultsWith increasing tree diversity, Q10 remained stable in the rhizosphere but decreased in the bulk soil. While greater tree diversity increased fine root biomass, soil C and N availability, microbial K/r strategy ratios in rhizosphere and bulk soil shifter towards the r strategists, with a reduced bacterial K/r strategy ratio. However, microbial gene copy numbers and Shannon diversity remained stable. Partial correlation and multiple regression analysis revealed that rhizosphere Q10 remained stable because of C excess and larger microbial abundance. The Q10 reduction in bulk soil correlated with increased C availability and a shift in microbial community towards a lower K/r strategy ratio.ConclusionThe Q10 decoupling between rhizosphere and bulk soil highlights a trade-off, where increasing tree diversity accelerates organic matter decomposition in rhizosphere to sustain nutrient supply, while maintaining bulk C pool stability under global warming.

AB - Background and aimsTree diversity strongly regulates organic matter inputs by rhizodeposition for microorganisms and microbial communities, impacting soil carbon (C) dynamics and stability. Because of much larger organic C availability in the rhizosphere, it can respond differently to tree diversity compared to bulk soil. To explore soil C stability under global warming, we assessed the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of organic matter decomposition in rhizosphere and bulk soil depending on tree diversity.MethodsQ10 of organic matter decomposition in rhizosphere and bulk soil in a subtropical forest were examined using short-term incubation under controlled conditions depending on tree diversity. Fine root traits and soil C and N availability were evaluated as related to microbial properties.ResultsWith increasing tree diversity, Q10 remained stable in the rhizosphere but decreased in the bulk soil. While greater tree diversity increased fine root biomass, soil C and N availability, microbial K/r strategy ratios in rhizosphere and bulk soil shifter towards the r strategists, with a reduced bacterial K/r strategy ratio. However, microbial gene copy numbers and Shannon diversity remained stable. Partial correlation and multiple regression analysis revealed that rhizosphere Q10 remained stable because of C excess and larger microbial abundance. The Q10 reduction in bulk soil correlated with increased C availability and a shift in microbial community towards a lower K/r strategy ratio.ConclusionThe Q10 decoupling between rhizosphere and bulk soil highlights a trade-off, where increasing tree diversity accelerates organic matter decomposition in rhizosphere to sustain nutrient supply, while maintaining bulk C pool stability under global warming.

KW - Tree Diversity

KW - Soil organic matter

KW - decomposition

KW - Temperature sensitivity

KW - Rhizosphere

KW - Microbial ecological strategy

U2 - 10.1007/s11104-025-07410-w

DO - 10.1007/s11104-025-07410-w

M3 - Article

JO - Plant and Soil

JF - Plant and Soil

SN - 0032-079X

ER -