Moso bamboo expansion into a broadleaved forest alters the dominant soil organic carbon source
Date
2023-05-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Journal of Soil Science
Abstract
Both microbes and plants contribute to soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and retention, but their roles in controlling SOC dynamics in forest soils under Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) expansion remain unclear. Here, amino sugars and lignin monomers were measured to represent microbial necromass and plant-derived components, respectively. The observed decline in both amino sugars and lignin monomers during Moso bamboo expansion indicates a reduction in microbial necromass and recalcitrant plant contributions to SOC composition. This could be attributed to a limitation of microbial substrates and proliferation caused by the reduced litter inputs resulting from the expansion. The proportion of microbial necromass contributing to the SOC pool increased, but that of lignin monomers decreased, as SOC content decreased with Moso bamboo expansion. This suggests that the decrease of SOC during bamboo expansion was mainly due to the reduction of lignin, while the increased contribution of microbial-derived carbon to SOC may serve to improve SOC stability. Our study sheds light on the altered SOC source inputs resulting from Moso bamboo expansion and emphasizes the need for sustainable forestry management practices that differentiate between microbial- and plant-derived carbon pools.
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Both soil amino sugars and lignin monomers decreased with Moso bamboo expansion.
2. The dominant source of SOC changed during the Moso bamboo expansion.
3. SOC reduction was mainly due to the decline of lignin during Moso bamboo expansion.
4. Microbial necromass plays a key role in SOC retention during Moso bamboo expansion.
Description
This article was originally published in European Journal of Soil Science. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.13366. This article will be embargoed until 05/09/2024. © 2023 British Society of Soil Science.
Keywords
amino sugars, microbial necromass, lignin, moso bamboo expansion, SOC retention
Citation
Shao, S., He, H., Liang, C., Chen, J., Qin, H., Wang, S., Wang, Z., Li, Y., Jia, W., Zheng, X., Chen, Y., Fuhrmann, J. J., Xu, Q., & Zhang, X. (2023). Moso bamboo expansion into a broadleaved forest alters the dominant soil organic carbon source. European Journal of Soil Science, 74( 3), e13366. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.13366