Vegetation-driven shifts in soil bacterial community structure: Insights from karst rocky desertification mitigation in southwestern China
Abstract: Karst Rocky Desertification (KRD) presents a substantial obstacle to ecological restoration in southwestern China, significantly hindering regional economic growth and the lives of locals. Despite advancements in prevention and management, a significant gap persists in studies on the influence of various plant species on soil bacterial communities. This study utilised 16S rDNA Illumina sequencing technology alongside measurements of soil physicochemical properties, employing 12 composite soil samples collected through a five-point sampling method. We discovered that (1) Vegetation restoration is successful in the ecological rehabilitation of KRD, improving soil nutrient levels. (2) Alpha diversity remained constant, while beta diversity showed significant variation, reflecting the stability of soil core functions and the networked adaptation of bacterial communities to environmental fluctuations. (3) Vegetation restoration influences the reorganisation of soil bacterial populations, requiring careful manipulation of soil characteristics to facilitate desertification management. The pH value is a crucial regulatory element affecting microbial functional communities via direct physiological stress and indirect resource constraints. Prioritising pH management is advisable, as well as integrating the selection of acid/alkaline-tolerant flora and lime adjustments with other artificial efforts to maintain an alkaline environment, enhancing microbial metabolism and ecosystem service activities. This strategy benefits KRD regions ecologically, socially, and economically.