Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 99-108 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 102 presence of diverse microbial communities during litter decomposition has been linked to improved soil structure and stability (Pei et al., 2017). Moreover, the decomposition process can influence soil microbial community structure, which plays a role in maintaining soil physical properties. The addition of leaf litter has been shown to stimulate soil microbial activity, which can lead to better soil structure and increased water retention (Dong et al., 2021). 4 Influence of Leaf Litter on Microbial Diversity 4.1 Microbial communities in leaf litter (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) Leaf litter serves as a critical habitat for diverse microbial communities, including bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. Studies have shown that the composition and diversity of these microbial communities are influenced by the type and diversity of leaf litter. For instance, in a Schrenk’s Spruce forest, the dominant bacterial phyla in leaf litter were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinomycetes, while the dominant fungal phyla were Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Mortierellomycota (Zhu et al., 2022). Similarly, in a Mediterranean oak forest, bacterial and fungal communities in leaf litter varied significantly during decomposition, with distinct succession patterns observed for each community (Santonja et al., 201). The presence of high-tannin leaf litter from transgenic poplars also influenced microbial communities, with notable changes in the abundance of Actinobacteria and various fungal classes (Winder et al., 2013). 4.2 Interactions between leaf litter and soil microbiota The interactions between leaf litter and soil microbiota are complex and dynamic, significantly affecting soil microbial community structure and function. Leaf litter inputs can alter soil microbial activities and nutrient cycling, as observed in various forest ecosystems. For example, litter and root manipulations in a Schrenk’s Spruce forest led to changes in soil bacterial and fungal communities, with litter removal decreasing the diversity of these communities (Zhu et al., 2022). In a subtropical forest ecosystem, increased leaf litter diversity was positively correlated with the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi and actinomycetes, indicating strong interactions between aboveground litter and belowground microbial communities (Pei et al., 2017). Additionally, the composition of microbial communities in litter and soil is influenced by tree species, with distinct microbial communities developing on decomposing leaf litters of different tree species (Prescott and Grayston, 2013). 4.3 Impact of leaf litter on microbial diversity and abundance Leaf litter has a profound impact on microbial diversity and abundance in forest soils. The diversity of leaf litter inputs can lead to cascading effects on microbial communities. In a Mediterranean oak forest, increased litter species diversity was associated with higher fungal diversity but lower bacterial diversity, highlighting the differential impact of litter diversity on microbial communities (Santonja et al., 2018). In a mixed Quercus acutissima and Robinia pseudoacacia forest, the decomposition rate of litter and the stability of microbial alpha diversity were higher compared to a pure Quercus acutissima forest, suggesting that mixed forests support more stable microbial communities (Dong et al., 2021). Furthermore, changes in litter input, such as litter removal or addition, can significantly affect soil microbial biomass and enzyme activity, with varying effects depending on forest stand density and soil quality (Wang et al., 2022). Overall, leaf litter plays a crucial role in shaping the diversity and abundance of microbial communities in forest soils, thereby influencing ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling and decomposition. 5 Leaf Litter and Soil Health 5.1 Indicators of soil health influenced by leaf litter Leaf litter plays a crucial role in influencing various indicators of soil health, including soil physicochemical properties, microbial biomass, and nutrient cycling. The addition of leaf litter from different tree species significantly affects soil total nitrogen, available NPK, and soil microbial biomass, which are critical indicators of soil health (Sun et al., 2017). For instance, the decomposition of mixed coniferous and broadleaf litters has been shown to enhance the carbon metabolic intensity, richness, and diversity of soil microbial communities, thereby improving soil health (Naimei, 2011). Additionally, the quality and quantity of leaf litter can influence the rate of litter decomposition and nutrient release, which are essential for maintaining soil fertility and microbial diversity (Silva et al., 2018).
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