Effects of vegetation type on the microbial characteristics of the fissure soil-plant systems in karst rocky desertification regions of SW China

Abstract

In karst regions, shallow karst fissure (SKF) soil has proven to be an important plant habitat and soil resource. However, how plants affect the microbial abundance and community composition of SKF soil remains poorly studied. We explored the soil microbial community structure differences in fractured soil-plant systems by determining phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles under three vegetation types (herbs, shrubs and trees) in SKF and used a bare SKF without vegetation as the control in a karst rocky desertification area. The total microbial biomass and microbial community composition differed between surface soil and SKF soil. The total microbial biomass in surface soil was higher than that in SKF soil. In addition, in contrast to surface soil, the microbial communities in SKF soil were more vulnerable to the effects of environmental variables. Furthermore, plants had a significant positive effect on the accumulation of microbial biomass in surface and SKF soil: shrubs had the strongest effect, followed by trees. Vegetation types significantly affected the ratios of saturated PLFAs to monounsaturated PLFAs (SAT/MONO ratio) and cyclopropyl PLFAs to precursors (cy/pre ratio). In contrast to the SKF without vegetation, the SAT/MONO ratio and cy/pre ratio under grasslands, shrublands and trees were low. Herbs and shrubs had the greatest capacity to enhance the ability of soil to respond to environmental stress compared to trees. Our results suggest that, as an important plant habitat in karst regions, the condition of SKF soil should be urgently improved. The stereoscopic collocation of shrub-grass vegetation may be the preferred measure for vegetation restoration. Deep-rooted shrubs and grasses are best at improving soil and plant growth. Our study can be useful for developing strategies for vegetation rehabilitation in karst regions.

Keywords: Karst rocky desertification (KRD); Microbial community composition; Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA); Shallow karst fissure (SKF); Vegetation type.