Soil mesofauna participating in driving home-field advantage differ between litter mass loss and nutrient release

Soil organisms play an important role in litter mass loss and nutrient release. Although soil mesofauna participating in driving home-field advantage (HFA) differ between litter mass loss and nutrient release, this has rarely been investigated. A reciprocal transplant experiment was conducted using litterbags with two sizes of mesh (0.01 mm and 1 mm) in Pinus koraiensis Sieb. & Zucc. and Larix olgensis Henry plantations. We found that P. koraiensis and L. olgensis litter had a significantly higher soil mesofaunal abundance at home habitat after 7 and 9 months, respectively. The P. koraiensis and L. olgensis litter were associated with a significantly higher abundance of Oribatida and Tomoceridae at home habitat after 7 and 9 months, respectively. Soil mesofauna enhanced the positive effect on HFA for litter mass loss and carbon release in P. koraiensis and L. olgensis litter that could be observed at months 7 and 9 of the experiment. Nevertheless, the soil mesofauna significantly contributed to the negative effect on HFA for nitrogen and sulphur release for both litter types after 12 months. Our findings suggest that soil mesofaunal specialization could promote HFA effect for litter mass loss and carbon release, but that their effect was only apparent during specific stages of litter decomposition. Soil mesofaunal specialization dynamics are correlated with microclimate conditions and litter quality. Soil mesofauna significantly contributed to the negative effect on HFA for nitrogen and sulphur release, due to the change in the litter quality and imbalance of soil mesofauna between the home and away from home habitats.

Automated summary

Soil organisms play a crucial role in litter decomposition, affecting both mass loss and nutrient release. Their specialization dynamics contribute to both positive and negative effects on home-field advantage, influenced by microclimate conditions and litter quality.