High-elevation-induced decrease in soil pH weakens ecosystem multifunctionality by influencing soil microbiomes

Area of Science:

• Microbial ecology
• Soil science
• Ecosystem studies

Background:

• Understanding microbial roles in ecosystem services under environmental stress is crucial.
• Plant environmental stress response is a key global research area.
• Mechanisms maintaining microbial diversity under stress require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of elevation on rhizosphere microbial communities and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF).
• To identify key environmental stressors and their effects on microbial diversity and ecosystem stability.
• To explore the evolutionary dynamics of microbial generalists versus specialists under stress.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of rhizosphere soil characteristics, microbial composition, and EMF across elevation gradients.
• Random forest models to identify key environmental stressors.
• Binary-State Speciation and Extinction (BiSSE) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for evolutionary and interaction analyses.

Main Results:

• EMF and microbial richness decreased with increasing elevation.
• Soil pH was identified as a primary stressor influencing microbial communities.
• Generalist microbes exhibited higher diversification rates than specialists under stress.
• Environmental stress increased cooperation/competition, enhancing stability but reducing EMF.

Conclusions:

• Elevation-induced environmental stress negatively impacts microbial diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality.
• Microbial community diversity is linked to stability through complexity, with pH as a key factor.
• Generalist microbes are favored under stress, contributing to altered ecosystem dynamics and stability.