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Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity
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Biological Interactions Mediate Soil Functions by Altering Rare Microbial Communities.

Yi-Fei Wang1,2, Jia-Yang Xu1,3, Zhe-Lun Liu3,4

  • 1Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.

Environmental Science & Technology
|March 20, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Soil fauna interactions, like predation, significantly impact rare microbial communities and soil functions. Long-term fertilization can increase soil resilience to these faunal effects.

Keywords:
competitionpredationrare microbial communityresourcesoil functional genes

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Area of Science:

  • Soil Ecology
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • Soil microbes drive biogeochemical cycles and organic matter turnover.
  • The impact of soil fauna on microbial communities is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate soil microbiota dynamics under competition and predation among soil fauna.
  • Determine the effects of these interactions on microbial communities and functions in soils with different fertilization histories.

Main Methods:

  • Introduced competition and predation among soil fauna in two distinct soil ecosystems.
  • Analyzed microbial community composition, functional genes (C/N cycling), and metabolomics.
  • Compared effects of predation versus competition and the influence of fertilization history.

Main Results:

  • Faunal interactions significantly altered rare microbial communities (bacteria and fungi).
  • Predation increased the abundance of carbon and nitrogen cycling genes.
  • Specific rare taxa (SM1A02, Gammaproteobacteria, HSB_OF53-F07) were identified as key drivers.
  • Metabolomics linked increased gene abundance to fauna-mediated microbial activity.
  • Predation had a stronger impact than competition; long-term organic fertilization enhanced soil resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Soil fauna interactions, particularly predation, are crucial in shaping rare microbial communities and soil functions.
  • Rare microbes are key to soil functional gene enrichment.
  • Soil fauna's role in microbial dynamics is influenced by fertilization history, affecting ecosystem resilience.