Trophic interactions in soil micro-food webs drive ecosystem multifunctionality along tree species richness
Shi, Xiuzhen (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geography)
Eisenhauer, Nico (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Alemanya))
Peñuelas, Josep (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Fu, Yanrong (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geography)
Wang, Jianqing (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geography)
Chen, Yuxin (Xiamen University. College of the Environment & Ecology)
Liu, Shengen (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. College of Forestry)
He, Lulu (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geography)
Lucas-Borja, Manuel Esteban (Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y de Montes y Biotecnología)
Wang, Liyan (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geography)
Huang, Zhiqun (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geographical Science)

Additional title:	Soil micro-food webs regulate ecosystem multifunctionality
Date:	2024
Abstract:	Rapid biodiversity losses under global climate change threaten forest ecosystem functions. However, our understanding of the patterns and drivers of multiple ecosystem functions across biodiversity gradients remains equivocal. To address this important knowledge gap, we measured simultaneous responses of multiple ecosystem functions (nutrient cycling, soil carbon stocks, organic matter decomposition, plant productivity) to a tree species richness gradient of 1, 4, 8, 16, and 32 species in a young subtropical forest. We found that tree species richness had negligible effects on nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and plant productivity, but soil carbon stocks and ecosystem multifunctionality significantly increased with tree species richness. Linear mixed-effect models showed that soil organisms, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and soil nematodes, elicited the greatest relative effects on ecosystem multifunctionality. Structural equation models revealed indirect effects of tree species richness on ecosystem multifunctionality mediated by trophic interactions in soil micro-food webs. Specifically, we found a significant negative effect of gram-positive bacteria on soil nematode abundance (a top-down effect), and a significant positive effect of AMF biomass on soil nematode abundance (a bottom-up effect). Overall, our study emphasizes the significance of a multitrophic perspective in elucidating biodiversity-multifunctionality relationships and highlights the conservation of functioning soil micro-food webs to maintain multiple ecosystem functions.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2022-140808NB-I00 Agencia Estatal de Investigación TED2021-132627B-I00
Note:	Altres ajuts: Fundación Ramón Areces grant CIVP20A6621.
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Functional diversity ; Nematodes ; Niche complementarity ; Phylogenetic diversity ; Soil biodiversity ; Trophic interactions
Published in:	Global change biology, Vol. 30, issue 3 (March 2024) , art. e17234, ISSN 1365-2486

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17234

Available from: 2025-03-30 Postprint

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles