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Aims <p>First-order roots in forest ecosystems exhibit high productivity and rapid turnover, contributing more to soil carbon accumulation than leaf litter. However, the mechanisms driving their decomposition, particularly the role of soil microbial communities, remain poorly understood.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a three-year litter decomposition experiment across four sites in northeastern China, using leaf and first-order root litter from two dominant conifer species. This study assessed differences in decomposition dynamics between litter types and evaluated the influence of soil microbial network complexity.</p> Results <p>First-order root litter decomposed significantly slower (13–22% per year) than leaf litter (23–31% per year), with decomposition rates increasing toward lower latitude. Root litter exhibited a "home-field disadvantage," decomposing more slowly at its site of origin, while leaf litter decomposition was unaffected by origin. Fungal network complexity in summer positively correlated with decomposition of both litter types, whereas bacterial network complexity in autumn showed a negative correlation.</p> Conclusions <p>Decomposition dynamics differ between leaf and root litter but are both shaped by soil microbial network complexity. Our findings underscore the seasonally distinct roles of fungal and bacterial communities in regulating litter decomposition.</p>

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Latitudinal patterns of first-order root and leaf litter decomposition: soil microbial networks mediate decomposition dynamics of coniferous plantations

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月9日

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  • Li Pan,
  • Yang Gao,
  • Dehai Zhao,
  • Xiuwei Wang

摘要

Aims

First-order roots in forest ecosystems exhibit high productivity and rapid turnover, contributing more to soil carbon accumulation than leaf litter. However, the mechanisms driving their decomposition, particularly the role of soil microbial communities, remain poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a three-year litter decomposition experiment across four sites in northeastern China, using leaf and first-order root litter from two dominant conifer species. This study assessed differences in decomposition dynamics between litter types and evaluated the influence of soil microbial network complexity.

Results

First-order root litter decomposed significantly slower (13–22% per year) than leaf litter (23–31% per year), with decomposition rates increasing toward lower latitude. Root litter exhibited a "home-field disadvantage," decomposing more slowly at its site of origin, while leaf litter decomposition was unaffected by origin. Fungal network complexity in summer positively correlated with decomposition of both litter types, whereas bacterial network complexity in autumn showed a negative correlation.

Conclusions

Decomposition dynamics differ between leaf and root litter but are both shaped by soil microbial network complexity. Our findings underscore the seasonally distinct roles of fungal and bacterial communities in regulating litter decomposition.