Recovery of soil microbial diversity and functions along a tropical montane forest disturbance gradient

Authors

Renee Sniegocki, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Jessica B. Moon, Murray State University
Abigail L. Rutrough, Texas Tech University
Jude Gireneus, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Michael C. Farmer, Texas Tech University
David C. Weindorf, Texas Tech University
Kusum Naithani, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-8-2022

Keywords

16s RNA, ITS, diversity-function relationship, soil microbiome, litter decomposition, litter stabilization, tropical forests

Abstract

Logging and forest conversion are occurring at alarming rates in tropical forests. These disturbances alter soil microbial community structure and functions. While direct links between changes in soil properties, such as pH and microbial community structure are well established, the indirect effects of logging and forest conversion on soil microbial community structure and functions are poorly understood. We used a space-for-time substitution to investigate the changes in soil microbial diversity and functions across a forest recovery gradient in the tropical montane forests of northern Borneo. We used surface (top 5 cm) soil to assess soil physicochemical and microbial (next-generation DNA sequencing) properties, and standardized litterbags (Tea Bag Index) to assess litter decomposition and stabilization. Our results show that bacterial and fungal diversity increases with recovery time and reaches pre-disturbance levels between 60- and 80-years post-disturbance. Litter decomposition rate constants increased linearly with increasing bacterial and fungal diversity. Litter stabilization also increased linearly with fungal diversity, but was highest at intermediate levels of bacterial diversity. Our results provide insights on the effects of forest logging and conversion on soils and highlight the tight coupling between soil microbial diversity and soil functions in tropical montane forests.

Comments

This article was published with support from the Open Access Publishing Fund administered through the University of Arkansas Libraries.

Citation

Sniegocki, R., Moon, J. B., Rutrough, A. L., Gireneus, J., Sathiya Seelan, J. S., Farmer, M. C., Weindorf, D. C., & Naithani, K. (2022). Recovery of soil microbial diversity and functions along a tropical montane forest disturbance gradient. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10 https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.853686

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.