Seasonal dynamics of soil microbiome in response to dry-wet alternation along the Jinsha River Dry-hot Valley

Hao Jiang ^1,2, Xiaoqing Chen ^3,4, Yongping Li ⁵

⁰Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Earth Surface Processes, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610299, China. jianghao@imde.ac.cn.

Bmc Microbiology +

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November 26, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Soil bacteria in China's Jinsha River valley show resilience to seasonal dry-wet changes, with distinct microbial communities adapting to different altitudes. Migration patterns varied by season and zone, influenced by stochastic processes.

Area Of Science

Microbial Ecology
Soil Science
Environmental Microbiology

Background

Soil microorganisms are crucial for ecosystem functions like nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.
The impact of seasonal dry-wet cycles on soil bacterial communities, especially across varying altitudes, is not well understood.
This study investigates soil bacterial responses to seasonal shifts in China's Jinsha River valley.

Purpose Of The Study

To characterize the bacterial microbiome across different altitudinal zones (dry-hot valleys, transition, and alpine) in the Jinsha River valley.
To assess the influence of seasonal dry-wet alternation on soil bacterial community structure, diversity, and function.
To understand the resilience and adaptive mechanisms of soil microbes to environmental fluctuations.

Main Methods

Collection of 120 soil samples from three distinct altitudinal zones during both wet and dry seasons.
Analysis of bacterial communities using high-throughput sequencing.
Application of the neutral community model to assess the drivers of community variation.

Main Results

Bacterial communities in dry-hot valleys demonstrated resilience, maintaining stable richness, diversity, and coverage despite seasonal variations.
Season-specific microbial clades were identified across all zones, indicating adaptive resilience.
Stochastic processes, particularly dispersal, significantly influenced community composition, with higher migration rates observed in the dry season in dry-hot valleys and alpine zones.

Conclusions

Soil bacterial communities exhibit resilience to seasonal dry-wet alternations, with adaptive mechanisms present in various altitudinal zones.
Understanding these microbial responses is vital for enhancing soil health and ecosystem resilience, especially in vulnerable dry-hot valley ecosystems.
Findings provide critical insights for managing soil ecosystems under changing climatic conditions.

Keywords:

Altitudinal gradient Dry-hot valley Mountain-valley breeze circulation Seasonal dry–wet cycle Stochastic process

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