Soil microbial community structure, function and network along a mangrove forest restoration chronosequence

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Microbiology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Mangrove forests are ecologically and economically valuable but face degradation globally.
• Sonneratia apetala is widely used for mangrove restoration in southern China due to its adaptability.
• Understanding soil microbial responses to S. apetala afforestation is crucial for effective restoration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in soil properties and microbial communities in S. apetala afforestation stages.
• To compare microbial networks in afforested mangroves with natural forests and bare areas.
• To assess the impact of afforestation age on soil microbial structure, function, and network stability.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of soil physicochemical properties and microbial biomass.
• Examination of soil microbial community structure and function using sequencing techniques.
• Construction and analysis of soil microbial co-occurrence networks.

Main Results:

• Soil salinity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and microbial biomass increased with S. apetala afforestation age.
• Bacterial alpha diversity and soil pH decreased with afforestation age.
• Microbial community structure was influenced by soil properties; bacterial communities were more sensitive.
• Aerobic chemoheterotrophs increased, while sulfate-reducing bacteria decreased with afforestation age.
• Microbial network modularity increased, but stability and robustness decreased over time.

Conclusions:

• Sonneratia apetala afforestation enhances soil fertility and microbial biomass.
• Afforestation alters soil microbial community structure and function.
• Increased afforestation age leads to more complex but less stable soil microbial networks, suggesting potential vulnerability.