The influence of aboveground and belowground species composition on spatial turnover in nutrient pools in alpine grasslands

Aim An important research question in ecology is how climate and the biodiversity of aboveground plants belowground microbiomes affect ecosystem functions such as nutrient pools. However, little studied on concurrent role above- species composition shaping spatial distribution patterns across environmental gradients. Here, we investigated relationships between taxonomic plants, soil bacteria fungi turnover pools, assessed composition–nutrient pool were mediated by contemporary climatic conditions. Location Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Time period Current. Major taxa Plants, fungi. Methods We surveyed plant assemblages, sampled fungi, measured plant- soil-mediated pools at 60 alpine grasslands Using Mantel tests, structural equation models general linear models, relative importance plant, bacterial, fungal communities grassland Results found that was associated with local climate. effects mainly indirect through bacterial composition, but not composition. further replacement component β-diversity richness difference direct predictors grasslands. Main conclusions These results highlight together are related to perhaps even driving it. Conserving may therefore safeguard against impacts climate-sensitive