Plant community legacy effects on nutrient cycling, fungal decomposer communities and decomposition in a temperate grassland

Soil legacies mediated by plant species-specific microbial communities are major drivers of community dynamics. Most soil legacy studies focus on the role pathogens and mutualists in driving these processes, while much less is known about litter-mediated changes to community. Here, we used an existing plant-soil feedback field experiment which with different growth strategies (i.e., fast versus slow) proportions functional groups grasses forbs) were allowed condition over contrasting temporal scales one two years) a natural grassland. In phase, removed existent community, replaced it standardized response We then tested effects conditioning treatments decomposition nutrient cycling decomposer composition. composition most evident right after start but disappeared soon new established. The time years since disturbance affected functions consistently, no strong group strategy found. conclude that disturbance, recovery time, not effects, important factor functions. • Litter faster soils conditioned fast-growing forbs. transient. Time key affecting