Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Earth Science

New study uncovers the role of soil microbes in forest ecosystems

April 12, 2024
in Earth Science
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Figure 1
65
SHARES
593
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Assessing the function of forest ecosystems requires a deep understanding of the mechanisms of soil nitrogen mineralization. A recent study conducted by a team of researchers has shed light on how soil N-cycling genes drive soil nitrogen mineralization during afforestation. The findings, published in the prestigious journal Soil Ecology Letters, provide valuable insights into the relationship between soil microbial communities, functional genes, and the rate of soil nitrogen mineralization.

Figure 1

Credit: Yaping Zhao, Yuqing Zhao , Shuohong Zhang , Yulin Xu, Xinhui Han , Gaihe Yang , Chengjie Ren

Assessing the function of forest ecosystems requires a deep understanding of the mechanisms of soil nitrogen mineralization. A recent study conducted by a team of researchers has shed light on how soil N-cycling genes drive soil nitrogen mineralization during afforestation. The findings, published in the prestigious journal Soil Ecology Letters, provide valuable insights into the relationship between soil microbial communities, functional genes, and the rate of soil nitrogen mineralization.

 

The researchers collected soil samples from a chronosequence of Robinia pseudoacacia L (RP14, RP20, RP30, and RP45) at different stages of afforestation, along with a sloped farmland (FL) as a control. Metagenomic sequencing analysis revealed significant changes in the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities involved in N-cycling as the forestation progressed. Afforestation was found to effectively increase the diversity of soil microbial communities.

 

To further investigate the relationship between soil microbial communities and nitrogen mineralization, the researchers conducted indoor culture experiments and analyzed correlations. The results showed a significant increase in both soil nitrification rate (Rn) and soil nitrogen mineralization rate (Rm) with increasing stand age. The study also found a strong correlation between soil Rm and soil microbial diversity as well as the abundance of soil N-cycling genes.

 

Using partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) analysis, the researchers discovered that nitrification and denitrification genes had a greater direct effect on soil Rm than soil microbial communities. This suggests that functional genes related to soil nitrogen cycling play a crucial role in driving soil nitrogen mineralization during afforestation.

 

The study was conducted on the Loess Plateau, an important region for afforestation efforts. The findings provide a better understanding of the effects of microorganisms on soil nitrogen mineralization rate during afforestation and offer a new theoretical basis for evaluating soil nitrogen mineralization mechanisms during forest succession.

 

“These findings have important implications for forest management and ecosystem restoration,” said Professor Ren, the lead author of the study. “By understanding the role of soil microbes and functional genes in soil nitrogen mineralization, we can optimize afforestation practices and enhance the ecological functions of forest ecosystems.”

 

The research team hopes that these findings will contribute to the development of more sustainable and effective forest management strategies, especially in regions undergoing afforestation efforts. By considering the role of soil microbes and functional genes, forest restoration projects can be designed to maximize the benefits to both the environment and society.



Journal

Soil Ecology Letters

DOI

10.1007/s42832-023-0188-0

Method of Research

Case study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

N-cycle gene abundance determination of N mineralization rate following re-afforestation in the Loess Plateau of China

Article Publication Date

18-Jan-2024

Share26Tweet16
Previous Post

Softer tumours fuel more aggressive spread of triple-negative breast cancer

Next Post

How does the STB promote the coordination between environmental protection and agricultural development in Erhai Lake?

Related Posts

blank
Earth Science

Evaluating Climate Change Awareness Among Tanzanian Farmers

August 26, 2025
blank
Earth Science

Innovative Waste Management Model for Small Islands

August 26, 2025
blank
Earth Science

Sustainable Innovations in Heavy Metal Adsorbents

August 26, 2025
blank
Earth Science

Drones Enhance Vegetation Mapping in Solar Plants

August 26, 2025
blank
Earth Science

Identifying Optimal Habitats for Bamboo in Eastern India

August 26, 2025
blank
Earth Science

Acosta to Investigate Moisture-Driven Polar Ice Growth and Its Effects on Global Sea Level

August 26, 2025
Next Post
Figure 1

How does the STB promote the coordination between environmental protection and agricultural development in Erhai Lake?

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27539 shares
    Share 11012 Tweet 6883
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    952 shares
    Share 381 Tweet 238
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    641 shares
    Share 256 Tweet 160
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    508 shares
    Share 203 Tweet 127
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    312 shares
    Share 125 Tweet 78
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Expanding Pancreas Transplants: Benefits and Boundaries
  • Empathy’s Link to Psychopathology and Suicide
  • AI Enhances Personalized Cancer Treatment Recommendations
  • Enhancing Biomechanics Learning with Prediction Problem-Based Method

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Blog
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,859 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading