Summary
This experimental study demonstrates that soil microbiome diversity and the complexity of microbial network interactions are significant drivers of ecosystem functioning in grassland systems. By manipulating microbial communities in microcosms, the authors show that reduced microbial richness and poorly developed fungal-bacterial networks result in lower multifunctionality, particularly because fewer taxa are available to provide functional redundancy and functional uniqueness. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining complex below-ground ecological associations for sustained ecosystem performance.
UK applicability
These findings are relevant to UK grassland management and soil conservation policy, suggesting that practices that preserve soil microbial diversity and network complexity (such as reduced tillage, diverse crop rotations, and minimised chemical inputs) may enhance nutrient cycling and ecosystem services. However, field validation under UK pedoclimatic conditions and testing across different soil types would strengthen applicability to British farming systems.
Key measures
Microbial richness, microbial network complexity, ecosystem multifunctionality, functional redundancy, functional uniqueness, nutrient cycling rates
Outcomes reported
The study experimentally manipulated soil microbiome composition in grassland microcosms and measured the relationship between microbial diversity, network complexity, and multiple ecosystem functions related to nutrient cycling (multifunctionality). Microcosms with reduced microbial richness and poorly developed microbial networks exhibited significantly lower multifunctionality due to decreased functional redundancy and functional uniqueness.
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