Erosion reduces soil microbial diversity, network complexity and multifunctionality

TLDR

Soil erosion drives land degradation, yet its effects on microbial communities and soil functions remain unclear, limiting our ability to evaluate ecosystem services and restore degraded lands. The study aimed to assess how erosion affects soil microbial communities by comparing eroded and non‑eroded plots at two sites with contrasting soil texture and climate. Researchers examined microbial communities in eroded versus non‑eroded plots at two contrasting sites, analyzing taxonomic composition, network complexity, and functional associations. Erosion reduced microbial network complexity, taxon richness, and inter‑taxon associations, shifted community composition toward lower abundances of dominant phyla (Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes) and higher N‑cycling families (Acetobacteraceae, Beijerinckiaceae), and these shifts were strongly linked to declines in soil multifunctionality, demonstrating a significant negative impact on microbial diversity and function.

Abstract

Abstract While soil erosion drives land degradation, the impact of erosion on soil microbial communities and multiple soil functions remains unclear. This hinders our ability to assess the true impact of erosion on soil ecosystem services and our ability to restore eroded environments. Here we examined the effect of erosion on microbial communities at two sites with contrasting soil texture and climates. Eroded plots had lower microbial network complexity, fewer microbial taxa, and fewer associations among microbial taxa, relative to non-eroded plots. Soil erosion also shifted microbial community composition, with decreased relative abundances of dominant phyla such as Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Gemmatimonadetes. In contrast, erosion led to an increase in the relative abundances of some bacterial families involved in N cycling, such as Acetobacteraceae and Beijerinckiaceae. Changes in microbiota characteristics were strongly related with erosion-induced changes in soil multifunctionality. Together, these results demonstrate that soil erosion has a significant negative impact on soil microbial diversity and functionality.