| Resum: |
The Mediterranean region is one of the most climate-vulnerable areas worldwide, facing rising temperatures, recurrent droughts, and soil degradation that threaten agricultural productivity and food security. A key concern is the decline of soil organic matter (SOM), which underpins nutrient cycling, water retention, microbial activity, and carbon storage. Enhancing biodiversity within agroecosystems has been proposed as a strategy to buffer soils against climatic stress while sustaining productivity. In particular, increasing sown species diversity may strengthen plant-soil-microbe interactions, thereby improving soil quality and resilience. This study examined how plant diversity influences soil microbial activity and carbon dynamics across a pedoclimatic gradient of Mediterranean sites. Results showed that species diversity enhanced microbial functional capacity, promoting greater carbon retention and decomposition of complex substrates. Species identity also played a central role: Festuca arundinacea, Avena sativa, Dactylis glomerata, Cichorium intybus, and Plantago lanceolata were particularly influential in shaping soil carbon dynamics. Notably, interactions among species yielded both synergistic and antagonistic effects on microbial activity and carbon accumulation, highlighting the importance of functional complementarity. Environmental factors, especially precipitation and soil organic carbon, remained the dominant drivers of microbial responses. However, higher species diversity consistently improved microbial activity even under drought, suggesting potential for mitigating climate impacts. Overall, our findings demonstrate that targeted increases in forage diversity can enhance soil quality and carbon sequestration, offering a promising pathway for resilient and sustainable Mediterranean agriculture. Keywords. Plant. |
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dir. (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
