Effects of Different Stand Densities on the Composition and Diversity of Soil Microbiota in a <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> Plantation
As sustainable forest management gains increasing attention, comprehending the impact of stand density on soil properties and microbial communities is crucial for optimizing forest ecosystem functions. This study employed high-throughput sequencing in conjunction with soil physicochemical analysis t...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Zuyuan Xu Fei Fan Qinmin Lin Shengzhou Guo Shumao Li Yunpeng Zhang Zhiyi Feng Xingxing Wang Christopher Rensing Guangqiu Cao Linkun Wu Shijiang Cao |
| author_facet | Zuyuan Xu Fei Fan Qinmin Lin Shengzhou Guo Shumao Li Yunpeng Zhang Zhiyi Feng Xingxing Wang Christopher Rensing Guangqiu Cao Linkun Wu Shijiang Cao |
| author_sort | Zuyuan Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As sustainable forest management gains increasing attention, comprehending the impact of stand density on soil properties and microbial communities is crucial for optimizing forest ecosystem functions. This study employed high-throughput sequencing in conjunction with soil physicochemical analysis to assess the effects of stand density on soil physicochemical properties and microbial community characteristics in Chinese fir plantations, aiming to elucidate the influence of density regulation on ecosystem services. Our results suggested that changes in soil physicochemical properties and microenvironmental conditions were key drivers of soil microbial diversity. Total carbon (TC), soluble nitrogen (SN), and light fraction organic matter decreased with increasing stand density, while total potassium (TK) and available phosphorus (AP) concentrations increased. The plot with a density of 900 trees ha<sup>−1</sup> exhibited the highest bacterial diversity, in contrast to the plot with 1500 trees ha<sup>−1</sup>, which showed the lowest. The dominant microbial taxa were similar across different stand retention densities, with <i>Acidobacteria</i>, <i>Proteobacteria</i>, and <i>Chloroflexi</i> being the predominant bacterial phyla and <i>Ascomycota</i> and <i>Basidiomycota</i> being the main fungal groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between soil microbial community structures and environmental factors, particularly with respect to soil phosphorus and nitrogen content. The present study demonstrated that reduced stand densities modulated soil nutrient content and enhanced bacterial diversity, thereby contributing to a more complex and stable soil ecosystem structure. These insights provide a scientific foundation for optimizing the management of Chinese fir plantations, thereby supporting the sustainable development of forest ecosystems. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-f52345bf804c4f7785d452960f6f70182025-01-10T13:19:45ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-01-011419810.3390/plants14010098Effects of Different Stand Densities on the Composition and Diversity of Soil Microbiota in a <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> PlantationZuyuan Xu0Fei Fan1Qinmin Lin2Shengzhou Guo3Shumao Li4Yunpeng Zhang5Zhiyi Feng6Xingxing Wang7Christopher Rensing8Guangqiu Cao9Linkun Wu10Shijiang Cao11College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Jun Cao Science and Ecology (College of Carbon Neutrality), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Jun Cao Science and Ecology (College of Carbon Neutrality), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Jun Cao Science and Ecology (College of Carbon Neutrality), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaInstitute for Environmental Microbiology, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaInstitute for Environmental Microbiology, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Jun Cao Science and Ecology (College of Carbon Neutrality), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaAs sustainable forest management gains increasing attention, comprehending the impact of stand density on soil properties and microbial communities is crucial for optimizing forest ecosystem functions. This study employed high-throughput sequencing in conjunction with soil physicochemical analysis to assess the effects of stand density on soil physicochemical properties and microbial community characteristics in Chinese fir plantations, aiming to elucidate the influence of density regulation on ecosystem services. Our results suggested that changes in soil physicochemical properties and microenvironmental conditions were key drivers of soil microbial diversity. Total carbon (TC), soluble nitrogen (SN), and light fraction organic matter decreased with increasing stand density, while total potassium (TK) and available phosphorus (AP) concentrations increased. The plot with a density of 900 trees ha<sup>−1</sup> exhibited the highest bacterial diversity, in contrast to the plot with 1500 trees ha<sup>−1</sup>, which showed the lowest. The dominant microbial taxa were similar across different stand retention densities, with <i>Acidobacteria</i>, <i>Proteobacteria</i>, and <i>Chloroflexi</i> being the predominant bacterial phyla and <i>Ascomycota</i> and <i>Basidiomycota</i> being the main fungal groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between soil microbial community structures and environmental factors, particularly with respect to soil phosphorus and nitrogen content. The present study demonstrated that reduced stand densities modulated soil nutrient content and enhanced bacterial diversity, thereby contributing to a more complex and stable soil ecosystem structure. These insights provide a scientific foundation for optimizing the management of Chinese fir plantations, thereby supporting the sustainable development of forest ecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/98Chinese firplantation foresthigh-throughput sequencingsoil microorganismsmicrobial diversity |
| spellingShingle | Zuyuan Xu Fei Fan Qinmin Lin Shengzhou Guo Shumao Li Yunpeng Zhang Zhiyi Feng Xingxing Wang Christopher Rensing Guangqiu Cao Linkun Wu Shijiang Cao Effects of Different Stand Densities on the Composition and Diversity of Soil Microbiota in a <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> Plantation Plants Chinese fir plantation forest high-throughput sequencing soil microorganisms microbial diversity |
| title | Effects of Different Stand Densities on the Composition and Diversity of Soil Microbiota in a <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> Plantation |
| title_full | Effects of Different Stand Densities on the Composition and Diversity of Soil Microbiota in a <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> Plantation |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Different Stand Densities on the Composition and Diversity of Soil Microbiota in a <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> Plantation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Different Stand Densities on the Composition and Diversity of Soil Microbiota in a <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> Plantation |
| title_short | Effects of Different Stand Densities on the Composition and Diversity of Soil Microbiota in a <i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i> Plantation |
| title_sort | effects of different stand densities on the composition and diversity of soil microbiota in a i cunninghamia lanceolata i plantation |
| topic | Chinese fir plantation forest high-throughput sequencing soil microorganisms microbial diversity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/98 |
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