Elevated public health risks from changes in microbial communities mediated by moso bamboo invasion

Area of Science:

• Soil microbiology
• Invasive species ecology
• Environmental science

Background:

• Moso bamboo invasion significantly impacts aboveground vegetation.
• Its effects on soil microbial communities and ecological functions are poorly understood.
• Urbanization gradients influence ecological dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of moso bamboo invasion on soil microbial community assembly.
• To assess the relationship between bamboo invasion and soil antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs).
• To identify microbial mechanisms for natural biological control in invaded ecosystems.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a survey across 24 sites with varying bamboo invasion levels and urbanization.
• Analyzed soil microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) and functional genes (ARGs, VFs).
• Employed random forest modeling and structural equation modeling for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Bamboo invasion strengthened deterministic microbial community assembly, particularly in fungi.
• Fungal communities proved reliable bio-indicators of invasion stages.
• Moso bamboo presence correlated with increased soil ARGs and VFs, linked to soil physicochemical changes and potential pathogens.

Conclusions:

• Moso bamboo invasion reshapes soil microbiomes, increasing ARGs and VFs, with rural sites showing unique trends.
• Ecosystem restoration in bamboo-dominated areas reduced resistance and virulence elements.
• Identified microbial taxa capable of pathogen lysis, indicating natural biocontrol potential.