Diversity of Microbial Functional Genes Promotes Soil Nitrogen Mineralization in Boreal Forests

Overview

Journal Microorganisms

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2024 Aug 29

PMID 39203419

Authors

Xiumin Zhang

Huayong Zhang

Zhongyu Wang

Yonglan Tian

Wang Tian

Zhao Liu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Soil nitrogen (N) mineralization typically governs the availability and movement of soil N. Understanding how factors, especially functional genes, affect N transformations is essential for the protection and restoration of forest ecosystems. To uncover the underlying mechanisms driving soil N mineralization, this study investigated the effects of edaphic environments, substrates, and soil microbial assemblages on net soil N mineralization in boreal forests. Field studies were conducted in five representative forests: forest (LF), forest (BF), mixed forest of and (MF), forest (SF), and var. forest (MPF). Results showed that soil N mineralization rates (R) differed significantly among forests, with the highest rate in BF ( < 0.05). Soil properties and microbial assemblages accounted for over 50% of the variability in N mineralization. This study indicated that soil environmental factors influenced N mineralization through their regulatory impact on microbial assemblages. Compared with microbial community assemblages (α-diversity, Shannon and Richness), functional genes assemblages were the most important indexes to regulate N mineralization. It was thus determined that microbial functional genes controlled N mineralization in boreal forests. This study clarified the mechanisms of N mineralization and provided a mechanistic understanding to enhance biogeochemical models for forecasting soil N availability, alongside aiding species diversity conservation and fragile ecosystem revitalization in boreal forests.

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