Soil microbiome feedbacks during disturbance-driven forest ecosystem conversion

Area of Science:

• Forestry science
• Soil science
• Microbial ecology

Background:

• Forest disturbances, like pile burning, significantly alter ecosystem trajectories and soil microbiomes.
• Pile burning after clear-cut harvesting creates openings with nonwoody plants, contrasting with regenerating forests.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if soil microbial processes mirror aboveground vegetation shifts after pile burning.
• To assess long-term soil microbiome recovery in burn scar openings compared to regenerating forests.

Main Methods:

• Studied a 60-year chronosequence of burn scar openings and adjacent regenerating forests.
• Analyzed soil ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity and microbial carbon cycling functions.
• Examined soil respiration and its relationship with substrate availability and quality.

Main Results:

• Ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity decreased in the first decade post-burning, correlating with herbaceous plant dominance.
• Short-term soil microbiome functions in burn scars resembled post-fire conditions, with altered carbon cycling.
• Soil microbiome composition and function converged between burn scars and forests after six decades, despite vegetation differences.

Conclusions:

• Soil microbial processes initially reflect aboveground vegetation changes after pile burning.
• Long-term convergence of soil microbiomes suggests significant microbial resilience, potentially independent of vegetation.
• Understanding these belowground dynamics is crucial for managing forests facing increasing climate change-driven disturbances.