Randomized trial investigates the impact of vegetation mosaics on soil microbial dynamics and function in agroforestry systems, indicating its significance for soil health.
Key Points
This study aims to understand how vegetation spatial arrangements affect soil microbial communities and enzymatic functions in mountainous ecosystems.
Analyzed microbial biomass using PLFA across various vegetation types including monocultures, shrublands, and ecotones.
Utilized variance partitioning, partial least squares regression, and ordination analysis for data assessment.
Compared nutrient stoichiometry with enzyme activities within the forest–shrubland–farmland mosaic setting.
Fungal biomass peaked in ecotones and was lower in monocultures and shrublands, with fungi driving oxidative enzymes.
Microbial assembly was primarily regulated by soil nutrients (31% influence) over soil texture (15%).
Soil organic matter and available nitrogen were identified as key abiotic factors affecting microbial function.