Differentiated Microbial Strategies in Carbon Metabolic Processes Responding to Salt Stress in Cold–Arid Wetlands

Yongman Wang, Mingqi Wang, Tiezheng Wu, Jialin Zhao, Junyi Li, Hongliang Xie, Lixin Wang and Linhui Wu ()
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Yongman Wang: School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Mingqi Wang: School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Tiezheng Wu: School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Jialin Zhao: School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Junyi Li: School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Hongliang Xie: School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Lixin Wang: School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Linhui Wu: School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: With the rising concerns about climate change and continuous increase in the salinity of soil, it is essential to understand the C-cycling functioning of saline soil to better predict the ecological functions and health of soil. Microbes play critical roles in C-cycling. However, limited research has been conducted to understand the impact of soil salinity on the microbial functional genes involved in C-cycling. In this study, effects of varying soil salinity levels in wetlands on the C-cycling functions and diversity of soil microbes were investigated by metagenomic sequencing. The results showed a higher relative abundance of genes related to decomposition of easily degradable organic C at low salinity. On the other hand, higher abundance of genes participating in the decomposition of recalcitrant organic C were observed at high salinity. These findings indicate distinct metabolic bias of soil microbes based on the salinity levels. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were dominant in soils with low to medium salinity levels, while Bacteroidetes phyla was prominent in highly saline soils. Furthermore, partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) identified electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus as key regulators of C-cycling gene expression. Overall, the present study highlights the intricate connections between salinity, microbial attributes, and carbon metabolism in soil, suggesting that the soil microbes adapt to saline stress through divergent eco-adaptations. The findings of this study highlight the significance of exploring these microbial interactions for effective management and conservation of saline wetlands.

Keywords: wetlands of cold and arid region; environmental factors; salt stress; carbon cycle; functional gene (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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