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This is a Observational study (also classified as: Animal Study, In Vitro Study).

September 10, 2025Open Access

Diversity and Functional Differences in Soil Bacterial Communities in Wind–Water Erosion Crisscross Region Driven by Microbial Agents

Key Points

The AMF.BM treatment showed the highest microbial carbon content and low metabolic entropy.
Bacterial community composition revealed dominant phyla including Firmicutes and Proteobacteria.
Reducing diversity and richness was noted with AMF.TH treatment, while AMF.BM increased richness index significantly.
Soil microbial functions like nitrification were enhanced by the AMF.BM treatment indicating its potential for restoration.

Abstract

Soil erosion-prone areas require effective microbial treatments to improve soil bacterial communities and functional traits. Understanding the driving effects of different microbial interventions on soil ecology is essential for restoration efforts. Single and combined microbial treatments were applied to soil. Bacterial community structure was analyzed via 16S IRNA high-throughput sequencing, and functional groups were predicted using FAPROTAX. Soil microbial carbon, nitrogen, metabolic entropy, and enzymatic activity were assessed. Microbial Carbon and Metabolic Activity: The Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Bacillus mucilaginosus (BM) (AMF.BM) treatment exhibited the highest microbial carbon content and the lowest metabolic entropy. The microbial carbon-to-nitrogen ratio ranged from 1.27 to 3.69 across all treatments. Bacterial Community Composition: The dominant bacterial phyla included Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. Diversity and Richness: The AMF and Trichoderma harzianum (TH) (AMF.TH) treatment significantly reduced diversity, richness, and phylogenetic diversity indices, while the AMF.BM treatment showed a significantly higher richness index (p < 0.05). Relative Abundance of Firmicutes: Compared to the control, the AMF, TH.BM, and TH treatments decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, whereas the AMF.TH treatment increased their relative abundance. Environmental Correlations: Redundancy and correlation analyses revealed significant correlations between soil organic matter, magnesium content, and sucrase activity and several major bacterial genera. Functional Prediction: The AMF.BM treatment enhanced the relative abundance and evenness of bacterial ecological functions, primarily driving nitrification, aerobic ammonia oxidation, and ureolysis. Microbial treatments differentially influence soil bacterial communities and functions. The AMF.BM combination shows the greatest potential for ecological restoration in erosion-prone soils.

Diversity and Functional Differences in Soil Bacterial Communities in Wind–Water Erosion Crisscross Region Driven by Microbial Agents

Key Points

Abstract

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