Kaiwen Liang

Agri-Products Application Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Soil Biology, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 3   doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0011
Received: 13 Mar., 2024    Accepted: 18 Apr., 2024    Published: 07 May, 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Liang K.W., 2024, The role of leaf litter in forest soil fertility and microbial diversity, Molecular Soil Biology, 15(3): 99-108 (doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0011)

Leaf litter plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems by contributing to soil fertility and enhancing microbial diversity. This study examines the multifaceted impact of leaf litter on forest soil fertility and microbial communities. The decomposition of leaf litter, primarily driven by microbial activity, is essential for nutrient cycling and maintaining soil health. Fungi and bacteria are the primary decomposers, with fungi often being the dominant agents due to their enzymatic capabilities and substrate accessibility. The diversity and composition of leaf litter significantly influence microbial activity and nutrient cycling, with mixed-species litter often promoting higher microbial diversity and decomposition rates compared to monocultures. Environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and soil pH also play critical roles in shaping microbial communities and their functions. Additionally, the identity and quality of leaf litter, including its chemical composition, affect microbial biomass and the abundance of soil organisms. This study highlights the complex interactions between leaf litter, microbial communities, and environmental conditions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining litter diversity for ecosystem health and resilience.

Leaf litter; Soil fertility; Microbial diversity; Nutrient cycling; Decomposition