Scholarlink

<p>Earthworms function as ecosystem engineers by linking litter decomposition, microbial activity, and plant nitrogen (N) uptake. We conducted a 6-week mesocosm experiment using ¹⁵N-labeled <i>Quercus acutissima</i> litter to investigate the impact of <i>Amynthas</i> spp. earthworm effects on N transformation and partitioning of plant–microbe–earthworm intersactions in a temperate forest. The experiment comprised two treatments: (1) control with <i>Q. acutissima</i> seedlings and litter (-EW), and (2) earthworm treatment with seedlings, litter, and earthworms (+ EW). We traced litter-derived N transfer to seedling organs (roots, stems, leaves) and three soils [bulk soil from -EW (S), bulk soil from + EW (Se), and fresh earthworm casts from + EW (Ce)] and analyzed bacterial community composition using 16&#xa0;S rRNA sequencing. Earthworms significantly enhanced litter-derived N (%) transfer to plant tissues in roots (34%), stems (41%), and leaves (39%), while plant biomass and total tissue N remained unchanged, indicating that earthworms accelerated N source turnover rather than net N uptake. Ce showed enrichment of fast-growing bacterial taxa (Bacteroidota, Bacillota) relative to the oligotroph-dominated S and Se, suggesting enhanced N availability and microbial growth potential in Ce. This was further supported by a strong positive correlation between litter-derived N in soil and community-weighted mean rRNA gene copy number, linking bacterial community composition to litter-derived N transformation and partitioning. Moreover, functional prediction based on 16&#xa0;S rRNA gene profiles suggested a greater potential for denitrification in Se and nitrification in Ce. These findings suggest that <i>Amynthas</i> spp. earthworms accelerate litter decomposition, enhance litter-derived N transfer into seedlings and soil, and regulate microbial community structure, thereby promoting N turnover in temperate forests during the early stage of litter decomposition.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Amynthas spp. Earthworms Enhance Nitrogen Transfer Via Bacterial Community Shifts in Temperate Forest Soils

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月6日

查看全文
  • Doy Kim,
  • Gaeun Kim,
  • Amna Saher,
  • Heejae Jo,
  • Minyoung Kwon,
  • Yowhan Son

摘要

Earthworms function as ecosystem engineers by linking litter decomposition, microbial activity, and plant nitrogen (N) uptake. We conducted a 6-week mesocosm experiment using ¹⁵N-labeled Quercus acutissima litter to investigate the impact of Amynthas spp. earthworm effects on N transformation and partitioning of plant–microbe–earthworm intersactions in a temperate forest. The experiment comprised two treatments: (1) control with Q. acutissima seedlings and litter (-EW), and (2) earthworm treatment with seedlings, litter, and earthworms (+ EW). We traced litter-derived N transfer to seedling organs (roots, stems, leaves) and three soils [bulk soil from -EW (S), bulk soil from + EW (Se), and fresh earthworm casts from + EW (Ce)] and analyzed bacterial community composition using 16 S rRNA sequencing. Earthworms significantly enhanced litter-derived N (%) transfer to plant tissues in roots (34%), stems (41%), and leaves (39%), while plant biomass and total tissue N remained unchanged, indicating that earthworms accelerated N source turnover rather than net N uptake. Ce showed enrichment of fast-growing bacterial taxa (Bacteroidota, Bacillota) relative to the oligotroph-dominated S and Se, suggesting enhanced N availability and microbial growth potential in Ce. This was further supported by a strong positive correlation between litter-derived N in soil and community-weighted mean rRNA gene copy number, linking bacterial community composition to litter-derived N transformation and partitioning. Moreover, functional prediction based on 16 S rRNA gene profiles suggested a greater potential for denitrification in Se and nitrification in Ce. These findings suggest that Amynthas spp. earthworms accelerate litter decomposition, enhance litter-derived N transfer into seedlings and soil, and regulate microbial community structure, thereby promoting N turnover in temperate forests during the early stage of litter decomposition.