Soil microbial communities play a key role in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, in particular through their interaction with above-ground plants and weathering of rocks. In this study, the chemical properties and microbial diversity of soils covered by different organisms on Leshan Giant Buddha body were analyzed. The results showed that the concentration of soil total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) increased significantly with the change of above-ground organisms from lichens to bryophytes and vascular plants. TOC, TN, TP, C:N, and C:P were significantly correlated with the composition of microbial community. Bacterial and fungal diversity responded differently to the change of organisms, and the diversity of bacterial communities changed significantly among different sites. The settlement of Embryogenic plants increased the α-diversity indices including Sobs, Shannon, Ace and Chao indices, which were highest in sites covered with Ferns. The relative abundances of Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Nitrospirae and Planctomycetes increased with the order of Bryophyte, Fern, Grass and Shrub, and Cyanobacteria was opposite, with the highest in samples covered with lichens. These results improve understanding of plant–fungi–bacteria interactions during the early stages of soil development, and provide a scientific basis for protection of Leshan Giant Buddha.
The accumulation of soil organic matter and nutrients is an important pathway in effectively understanding the mechanisms of plant settlement and rock weathering, while the characteristics of soil organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) under different vegetation remain unclear. In this study, the stocks and stoichiometry of soil organic C, N and P were determined in different positions and types of vegetation on the surface of the Leshan Giant Buddha. We found that the total stocks of soil organic C, N and P were 1689.77, 134.6 and 29.48 kg, respectively, for the Buddha. The stocks of soil organic C, N and P under vascular plants were higher than those under other vegetation, with highest values observed under herb. Higher stocks per unit area (m 2 ) of soil organic C, N and P were found on the left and right arms, shoulders, and two platforms. These results provide a full primary picture in understanding soil organic C, N and P accumulation and distribution on the surface of the Buddha, which could supply the fundamental data on weathering management of the Buddha and other similar open-air stone carvings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.