Dynamics of bacterial community in litter and soil along a chronosequence of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations

As the driver of plantation ecosystem function, microorganisms can decompose plant residues and soil organic matter. To identify dynamics of microbial communities in litter and soil and its influence by vegetation and soil at regional scales, the plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia at different successional stages (13, 19, 29, and 44 y) was selected on the Loess Plateau. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to examine bacterial communities in litter and soil, and changes in vegetation, litter, and soil characteristics were analyzed. With increase of stand age, coverage and biomass of understory vegetation increased significantly and peaked at 44-y. Concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in litter and soil increased significantly, whereas pH values decreased significantly. Composition and diversity of bacterial communities in litter and soil were significantly different. Diversity and richness of litter bacterial communities were higher than that of soils. Relative abundances of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in litter were higher than that in soil; relative abundance of Acidobacteria exhibited the reverse trend. The diversity and richness index of vegetation significantly affected that of litter bacterial communities. Soil C/P significantly affected the Simpson and Shannon index of soil bacterial communities. The C/P and pH of litter and soil were significantly correlated with bacterial composition, primarily including Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Gemmatimonadetes. Diversity of litter bacterial communities was more sensitive to the diversity and richness of vegetation flora than that of soil in the succession of R. pseudoacacia. Canopy density, vegetation, and litter and soil nutrients might directly or indirectly affect bacterial communities. Carbon, phosphorus, and pH may be critical factors influencing the composition of bacterial communities in litter and soil. [Display omitted] •The diversity and richness of bacteria in litter were higher than that of soil.•Diversity of litter bacterial communities was more sensitive to the diversity and richness of undergrowth vegetation than that of soil.•Canopy density, vegetation, and litter and soil nutrients might directly or indirectly affect bacterial communities.•Carbon, phosphorus, and pH may be critical factors influencing the composition of bacterial communities in litter and soil.