Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Lithology shapes the Earth’s critical zone, yet its influence on microbial genomic potential in subtropical forests remains unclear. Here, we quantified soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) cycling functional genes across three contrasting lithologies in southwest China using HT-qPCR. We found limestone soils consistently harbored significantly higher gene abundances than dolostone and clasolite soils. Random forest models explained a substantial proportion of the variation in functional gene pools ( R 2 = 0.87–0.92). Based on these identified key drivers, we propose a Nitrogen availability–Microbial resource limitation–Reactive minerals (NMR) framework, where total dissolved nitrogen fuels activity, eco-enzymatic stoichiometry reflects metabolic adaptation, and iron/aluminum oxides regulate substrate accessibility via physical protection. Overall, specific carbonate rock types should be differentiated when modeling biogeochemical cycles.
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,077
Awards: G7382611797, G9000926038, G9000927615
OpenAlex ID: W7220850032