Effects of warming on soil microbial diversity and functional potential in alpine meadows

Wu Fei; Gao Zhangwei; Zhang Ruibo; Shi Rongxi; Liu Mengjie; Hu Jian; Wang Hui; Zhou Qingping

doi:10.12171/j.1000-1522.20240064

Journal of Beijing Forestry University > 2025 > 47(1): 29-38. > DOI: 10.12171/j.1000-1522.20240064

Wu Fei, Gao Zhangwei, Zhang Ruibo, Shi Rongxi, Liu Mengjie, Hu Jian, Wang Hui, Zhou Qingping. Effects of warming on soil microbial diversity and functional potential in alpine meadows[J]. Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2025, 47(1): 29-38. DOI: 10.12171/j.1000-1522.20240064

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Effects of warming on soil microbial diversity and functional potential in alpine meadows

Wu Fei^{1, 2,},
Gao Zhangwei³,
Zhang Ruibo^{1, 2},
Shi Rongxi^{1, 2},
Liu Mengjie⁴,
Hu Jian^{1, 2},
Wang Hui^{1, 2},
Zhou Qingping^{1, 2, ,}

1.
College of Grassland Resources, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
2.
Sichuan Zoige Alpine Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
3.
College of Juncao Science and Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian, China
4.
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

More Information

Received Date: February 29, 2024
Revised Date: May 27, 2024
Accepted Date: June 10, 2024
Available Online: June 11, 2024

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to explore the response patterns of soil microbial diversity and their functional potentials to different warming levels in an alpine ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of western China.
Method
We conducted a field manipulation warming experiment using infrared heating methods to set three warming treatments, including control, low-level warming (+1.5 ℃) and high-level warming (+2.5 ℃). Through soil microbial high-throughput sequencing analysis, we investigated the general patterns and mechanisms underlying soil bacterial and fungi communities in response to field warming.
Result
(1) Low-level warming and high-level warming significantly increased soil temperature in the topsoil by 1.4 and 2.4 ℃, and decreased soil moisture by 11% and 17%, respectively (P < 0.05). In contrast to the control, soil nitrate nitrogen content under low-level warming and high-level warming decreased by 66% and 72% (P < 0.05), respectively, while only high-level warming significantly stimulated soil available phosphorus content by 36% (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with control, warming significantly reduced soil bacterial α diversity and phylogenetic diversity, with notable differences in bacterial community structure (P < 0.05). But soil fungi community did not show any changes in these indicators. (3) In the soil bacterial community, functional categories such as carbohydrate metabolism and global overview map were significantly improved due to warming, while the abundance of three trophic types (i.e. symbiotroph, pathtroph and saprotroph) of soil fungi did not change under warming. (4) Soil bacterial functional potentials were mainly and positively correlated with soil total nitrogen and available phosphorus, while fungal functional potentials were positively associated with fungal Shannon diversity index.
Conclusion
In conclusion, warming significantly reduces soil bacterial α diversity and phylogenetic diversity, alters its β diversity. Warming promotes the expression of functional potentials such as carbohydrate metabolism in the bacterial community by regulating soil available phosphorous. In contrast, warming does not influence soil fungal diversity, community structure, and functional potentials. Our findings highlight the differential temperature sensitivities of soil bacterial and fungal communities, which may affect ecosystem functions differently.
- alpine meadow,
- bacteria,
- fungi,
- taxonomy diversity,
- phylogenetic diversity,
- function prediction

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References (72)

References

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Effects of warming on soil microbial diversity and functional potential in alpine meadows

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