Epiphytic mosses alter Pinus massoniana deadwood microbial and physicochemical properties thereby influencing the decomposition process

Epiphytic mosses play a crucial role in facilitating the decomposition of deadwood and regulating biogeochemical cycling processes in forests. However, the specific impact of epiphytic mosses on the deadwood decomposition process remains unclear.

We investigate the effect of epiphytic mosses on the changes in microbial community characteristics and physicochemical properties of five decay classes of Pinus massoniana deadwood. To ensure that our findings were not influenced by external environmental factors, we conducted greenhouse cultivation experiments.

The decay class of deadwood and the presence of epiphytic moss had significant effects on total carbon, total nitrogen, carbon-nitrogen ratio, total phosphorus, total potassium, pH, and condensed tannin levels in deadwood. Furthermore, these two factors also significantly influenced the diversity and richness of the microbial community in deadwood. Notably, epiphytic moss exerts a stronger impact on bacterial community composition compared to fungal communities and decreased the complexity of microbial co-occurrence networks in deadwood. Total carbon and condensed tannin content were the most important factors affecting bacterial taxa, and total carbon, pH, total potassium, condensed tannin and cellulose content were the most important factors affecting fungal taxa.

Epiphytic mosses affect the process of deadwood decomposition by altering physicochemical properties and microbial community characteristics within the deadwood. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering the impact of epiphytic mosses in forest management practices aimed at enhancing the degradation of deadwood, with potential implications for promoting ecosystem sustainability.