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Background and Aims <p>Coastal wetland succession in the Yellow River Delta is typically initiated by the halophytic shrub <i>Tamarix chinensis</i>, whose establishment helps trap sediment, shoreline stabilization, and facilitate further community development. Whether <i>T. chinensis</i> experiences positive or negative plant-soil feedbacks (PSF) as succession proceeds, and how different soil biotic groups modulate the PSF, remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of soil microorganisms and nematodes on <i>T. chinensis</i> growth across different successional stages in the Yellow River Delta wetlands.</p> Methods <p>We extracted nematode and microbial communities from wetland soils and inoculated them either individually or in combination into sterilized soil containers representing three successional stages to examine their effects on <i>T. chinensis</i> growth. Controlled inoculation experiments were conducted using soils from bare ground, <i>Suaeda salsa</i> communities, and <i>T. chinensis</i> communities.</p> Results <p>As soil succession progressed from bare land to <i>S. salsa</i> communities and eventually to <i>T. chinensis</i> communities, the relative contribution of nematodes to <i>T. chinensis</i> growth became increasingly prominent—rising from 41.86% in early-stage soils to 83.24% in mature soils. In contrast, the relative contribution of soil microorganisms decreased from 22.20% to just 4.40%. These shifts indicate a functional transition in soil biota, where microorganisms play a more critical role during early succession by directly enhancing plant nutrient acquisition, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. In later stages, nematodes become the dominant drivers of <i>T. chinensis</i> growth, primarily by promoting phosphorus accumulation and redistribution in the soil, thereby supporting plant biomass production.</p> Conclusion <p>Our results indicate that soil biota plays a pivotal role in modulating soil nutrient stoichiometry, promoting a balanced nutrient profile that supports plant growth across successional stages. These results underscore the importance of integrating soil microorganisms and nematodes into ecological restoration strategies. Understanding their roles in shaping plant-soil feedbacks provides new insights into vegetation succession and ecosystem functionality in wetlands.</p>

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Microbial and nematode regulation of Tamarix chinensis growth across successional stages in coastal wetlands

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月30日

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  • Shuting Li,
  • Jilin Zhang,
  • Yujie Li,
  • Renqing Wang,
  • Peiming Zheng,
  • Hui Wang

摘要

Background and Aims

Coastal wetland succession in the Yellow River Delta is typically initiated by the halophytic shrub Tamarix chinensis, whose establishment helps trap sediment, shoreline stabilization, and facilitate further community development. Whether T. chinensis experiences positive or negative plant-soil feedbacks (PSF) as succession proceeds, and how different soil biotic groups modulate the PSF, remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of soil microorganisms and nematodes on T. chinensis growth across different successional stages in the Yellow River Delta wetlands.

Methods

We extracted nematode and microbial communities from wetland soils and inoculated them either individually or in combination into sterilized soil containers representing three successional stages to examine their effects on T. chinensis growth. Controlled inoculation experiments were conducted using soils from bare ground, Suaeda salsa communities, and T. chinensis communities.

Results

As soil succession progressed from bare land to S. salsa communities and eventually to T. chinensis communities, the relative contribution of nematodes to T. chinensis growth became increasingly prominent—rising from 41.86% in early-stage soils to 83.24% in mature soils. In contrast, the relative contribution of soil microorganisms decreased from 22.20% to just 4.40%. These shifts indicate a functional transition in soil biota, where microorganisms play a more critical role during early succession by directly enhancing plant nutrient acquisition, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. In later stages, nematodes become the dominant drivers of T. chinensis growth, primarily by promoting phosphorus accumulation and redistribution in the soil, thereby supporting plant biomass production.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that soil biota plays a pivotal role in modulating soil nutrient stoichiometry, promoting a balanced nutrient profile that supports plant growth across successional stages. These results underscore the importance of integrating soil microorganisms and nematodes into ecological restoration strategies. Understanding their roles in shaping plant-soil feedbacks provides new insights into vegetation succession and ecosystem functionality in wetlands.