Similar distribution patterns but distinct drivers of soil bacterial and fungal communities

Abstract

The elevational distribution of microbial communities has been studied extensively, but the existence of a universal pattern and its driving factors remain unclear. We investigated soil bacterial and fungal diversity and community composition in eight natural forest soils along an elevation gradient ranging from 200 to 1100 m. A considerable decline in bacterial and fungal diversity was observed with increasing elevation. Both bacterial and fungal community compositions exhibited two distinct elevational clusters: low-elevation cluster (200 to 500 m) and high-elevation cluster (700 to 1100 m). Bacteria were closely associated with soil chemical and nutrient factors, whereas fungi responded more strongly to chemical and physical factors. Further results indicated that these preferences were species-dependent. Some symbiotic microbes associated with plants were strongly related to soil nutrient factors, such as Glomeromycota in fungi and Proteobacteria in bacteria. Soil physical factors predicted the relative abundance of fungi (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Rozellomycota) and as some filamentous bacteria. Our study demonstrates that bacteria and fungi share similar elevational diversity and community composition patterns but are governed by different driving mechanisms. These findings expand our understanding of microbial communities respond to elevation and provide deeper insights into the influence of edaphic factors on natural soils microbes.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

elevation gradient / soil chemistry / soil nutrient / soil physics

Highlight

	● Soil microbial diversity declined with increasing elevation.
	● Both microbes formed distinct low- and high-elevation clusters.
	● Bacteria favored nutrients, while fungi favored physical factors.
	● Elevation, CEC, and moisture shaped microbial networks.

References

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