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Changes in soil microbial metabolic activity during long-term forest restoration on the central Loess Plateau, China
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  • Yulin Liu,
  • Xinzhang Song,
  • Kaibo Wang,
  • * Zhirui,
  • Yingjie Pan,
  • Jiwei Li,
  • Xuying Hai,
  • Lingbo Dong,
  • ZP Shangguan,
  • Lei Deng
Yulin Liu
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources Institute of Soil and Water Conservation

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Xinzhang Song
Zhejiang A and F University
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Kaibo Wang
Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Earth Environment
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* Zhirui
Lianjiabian Forest Farm Ziwuling Forest Administration Heshui Gansu 745000 China
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Yingjie Pan
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources Institute of Soil and Water Conservation
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Jiwei Li
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources Institute of Soil and Water Conservation
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Xuying Hai
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
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Lingbo Dong
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
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ZP Shangguan
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources Institute of Soil and Water Conservation
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Lei Deng
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources Institute of Soil and Water Conservation
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Abstract

Secondary forest restoration can alter terrestrial ecosystem processes and potentially impact subsurface carbon dynamics. However, the effects of long-term forest restoration on the soil microbial metabolic activity remain unclear. So, the aim of this study was to explore the response of soil microbial metabolism to forest restoration. Among them, the soil basal respiration (BR), microbial quotient ( qMB), and metabolic quotient ( qCO 2) were studied. This study investigated a natural vegetation restoration sequence approximately ~160 years after farmland abandonment on the central Loess Plateau, China, corresponding to five vegetation restoration stages including farmland, grassland, shrubland, pioneer forests, and climax forests. The results showed that BR and qCO 2 were increased following forest restoration, whereas qMB showed the opposite trend. Forest restoration also increased the activities of β-1,4-glucosidase and β-D-cellobiosidase. Restoration age, litter traits such as nitrogen, cellulose and lignin decomposition rates, dissolved organic carbon contents, fungi and bacteria composition were also important indicators affecting microbial metabolic activities. Long-term forest restoration can change soil microbial community structure, reduce carbon mineralization efficiency, improve soil microbial carbon utilization efficiency, and promote soil organic carbon accumulation.
03 Mar 2022Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
04 Mar 2022Submission Checks Completed
04 Mar 2022Assigned to Editor
11 Mar 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 May 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
06 Jun 20221st Revision Received
06 Jul 2022Assigned to Editor
06 Jul 2022Submission Checks Completed
03 Aug 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Aug 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Aug 20222nd Revision Received
19 Aug 2022Submission Checks Completed
19 Aug 2022Assigned to Editor
25 Aug 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Aug 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
29 Aug 20223rd Revision Received
22 Sep 2022Submission Checks Completed
22 Sep 2022Assigned to Editor
22 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Accept