Forest Fragmentation Slows the Decomposition of Coarse Woody Debris in a Subtropical Forest

Forest Fragmentation Slows the Decomposition of Coarse Woody Debris in a Subtropical Forest | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Forest Fragmentation Slows the Decomposition of Coarse Woody Debris in a Subtropical Forest Chunsheng Wu, Chunjie Shu, Baoyong Li, Zhijian Zhang, Yanyan Li, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-526702/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 17 Sep, 2021 Read the published version in Forest Science → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Forest fragmentation is increasing rapidly around the world, and edge effects caused by fragmented forests can influence ecosystem functions and ecological processes, including coarse woody debris (CWD) decomposition. Understanding the influencing mechanisms of edge effect on CWD decomposition is needed to assess the effects of forest fragmentation on C cycling and storage. We measured rates of mass loss of CWD of Cinnamomum camphora and Pinus taiwanensis over two years at two distances (0-5m vs . 60m) from a forest edge at two altitudes (215 and 1400 m a.s.l.), in a subtropical forest. In addition, we determined the microbial community of each CWD and the soil beneath via phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). Mass loss of CWD 60 m from the forest edge was > 15 % greater than that at the edge (0-5m). Mass loss was positively correlated with the abundance of microbial community and moisture content of the decaying CWD. Distance from edge explained 17.4% of the total variation of the microbial abundance in CWD. The results indicated that the reduced abundance of microbial communities and moisture content at forest edges reduced rates of decomposition of CWD. Long-term experiments with more tree species and more forest types are needed to assess the edge effect's generality. Forestry Edge effects Decomposition CWD Microbial community Subtropical forests Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 1. Introduction Forests around the world store a large amount of carbon (C) in soils, dead and living above-ground biomass (including coarse woody debris: CWD), which is regarded as a significant C sink (Pan et al., 2011 ). Understanding the factors that influence rates of C cycling processes in forests (including CWD decomposition) is necessary to quantify the role of global forests in the global C cycle (Pan et al., 2011 ; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2014 ; Tang et al., 2018 ). Forest fragmentation due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances is a global phenomenon, affecting forest ecosystem functioning (Numata et al., 2010 ; FAO, 2010; Haddad et al., 2015 ; Barlow et al., 2016 ). Globally, nearly 20 % of all forest area is situated within 100 m of a forest edge (Haddad et al., 2015 ). Forest edges have distinct microclimates from forest interiors, including lower soil moisture, lower humidity, increased light availability, and increased wind and rain impacts (Laurance and Yensen, 1991 ; Didham & Ewers, 2012 ; Albiero-Júnior et al., 2020 ). These altered microclimatic conditions at forest edges can alter the decay rates of CWD. In a temperate forest in the United Kingdom, blocks of wood from European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) placed at the forest edge lost mass at about half the rate of blocks placed 100 m within the forest (Crockatt & Bebber, 2015 ). The slower mass loss was attributed to the lower humidity and moisture content of the decaying wood at the forest edge (Crockatt & Bebber, 2015 ). In contrast, in a temperate forest in USA, Forrester et al. ( 2012 ) reported higher respiration rates from CWD in canopy gaps than under intact canopy. Alterations in microclimatic conditions near forest edges may also influence soil microbial community composition. Previous studies have shown that the abundance of fungi strongly increased in response to changes in microclimate conditions due to edge effects (Boddy et al., 1989 ; Boddy, 2001 ; Castaño et al., 2018 ; van der Linde et al., 2018 ; Boeraeve et al., 2019 ). The fungal communities in soil and wood interact during all CWD decay phases (Mäkipää et al., 2017 ; Purahong et al., 2019 ; Wu et al., 2020 , 2021 ), so changes in soil microbial communities due to edge effects could also alter fungal community dynamics within decomposing CWD. Reduced moisture availability at forest edges can affect the growth and activity of saprotrophic fungi (Crockatt & Bebber, 2015 ; Snäll & Jonsson, 2001 ) and mycorrhizal fungi (Boeraeve et al., 2019 ). In addition, the abundance of white rot species, such as Xeromphalina campanella , Rigidoporus sp. and Skeletocutis odora , is positively correlated with moisture content (Fukasawa et al., 2015, 2018 ). Here, we compare rates of decomposition and microbial communities in CWD in the interior and edges of a subtropical forest ecosystem. We measured two-year mass loss of CWD of Pinus taiwanensis Hayata and Cinnamomum camphora (Linn.) Presl at the forest edge and 60 m into the forest and characterized the microbial community in the decaying CWD. The experiment was conducted at sites at two elevations (215m and 1400m a.s.l.). Specifically, we asked: (1) do CWD mass loss rates differ between forest edge and forest interior positions? (2), do microbial communities in decaying CWD differ between forest edge and interior positions? and (3) how do characteristics of the microbial community relate to environmental conditions in the two environments? Based on studies from temperate forests, we hypothesize that CWD decomposition rates will be lower at the forest edge than in the forest interior and that the differences will be related to changes in microbial communities and moisture. 2. Materials And Methods 2.1. Study area This field research was conducted in a mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forest (CBF) at Lushan Mountain in Jiangxi Province, China (29°31′~29°41′ N, 115°51′~116°07′ E). The area is characterized as a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Mean annual precipitation and temperature range from 1308 to 2068 mm, and from 17.1 to 11.6 °C, respectively (Wu et al., 2019b). According to the FAO soil texture classification, soil types in Lushan change from ferric alisols at low elevations to haplic alisols at high ones (Liu & Wang, 2010; Wu et al., 2018b). Mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forests are dominated by several Platycarya strobilacea and Acer davidii species, and some deciduous woodland species and shrubs (Liu & Wang, 2010). 2.2. Sampling design In December 2015, study sites were established in a mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forest at two altitudes (215m and 1400m). The sites at the two altitudes had similar aspect, slope steepness and position, stand age, and understory vegetation. Characteristics of the soils at the two sites are provided in Appendix 1. At each site, three plots were established within 0-5 m (Plot one: 2 m, Plot two: 3 m, Plots three: 2.5 m) of the forest edge, and another three plots were established 60 m (Plot one: 60 m, Plot two: 59.5 m, Plots threee: 59 m) inside the forest. The two tree species selected for CWD were Pinus taiwanensis Hayata and Cinnamomum camphora (Linn.) Presl. Fresh logs about 15 cm in central diameter were selected and cut into segments about 150 cm long (Table 1). Two CWD segments of each tree species were placed flush on the ground 30 cm from one another and 35 cm from the boundary of each plot. Therefore, a total of 48 CWD segments (2 altitudes × 2 edge distances × 3 plots × 2 CWD species × 2 segments) were tested. 2.3. Wood physicochemical properties analysis A 2-cm-thick disk of each CWD was collected from a randomly selected place on each of the 48 logs at the beginning of the experiment and after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months. Disks were sealed in a plastic bag to preserve their moisture content before being transferred to the laboratory (Wu et al., 2018a, 2019a). The disk samples were collected more than 80 cm from the mid of wood. Each CWD sample was weighed and then oven-dried at 70°C and re-weighed, and their moisture content was calculated using equation (1). Where M CWD (%) was the moisture content of each CWD during each measurement, W w (g) was the wet wood weight, and W d (g) was the dry weight. The density of each CWD was calculated using equation (2): First, the weights of the disks of the CWD were measured (m, g), and the disks were placed in a container with a specific amount of water and wood disks in the container (V 1 , ml), the initial volume of water (V 2 , ml) and the density of each CWD sample (p, g/cm 3 ) was calculated. Mass loss from each CWD was calculated using equation (3). where ML CWD (%) was the mass loss of each CWD sample during each measurement, M i (g) was the initial dry mass, and M t (g) was the wood mass after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 or 24 months. CWD temperature was measured at approximately 2 cm depth using a hand-held long-stem thermometer (Model SK-250WP, Sato Keiryoki Mfg. Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). Concentrations of C and N in each CWD sample were determined using a TOC analyzer (Vario TOC, Elementar, German), and concentrations of lignin and cellulose were determined using the ADF-sulphuric method (Rowland et al., 1994) and the Kjeldahl method (K-370, Buchi Scientific Instruments, Switzerland). Soil available N (sum of the ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, amino acid and readily hydrolyzed proteins nitrogen) was measured through the oxidation hydrolyzed into ammonia nitrogen, then absorbed by the boric acid solution and determined by sulfuric acid and titration (Liu, 1996). Soil available P was extracted using HCl-NH 4 F solution and determined by Molybdenum-Antimony Anti colorimetric assay (Liu, 1996). Relative to P. taiwanensis, C. camphora CWD had higher initial concentrations of carbon and lignin, and lower cellulose (Appendix 1). Soil organic matter, N, hydrolyzed N and available P significantly differed between the two sites (Appendix 2). 2.4. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLF A) analyses Microbial biomass and the relative index of bacterial to fungal biomass were estimated by PLFA analysis (Bossio & Scow, 1998; Olsson et al., 1999). CWD samples and mineral soil (0-5 cm) under each CWD segment were collected every three months during the study period and stored at -20℃ for PLFA analysis. Concentrations of each PLFA were calculated relative to the 19:0 internal standard concentration. Total microbial biomass summed by each individual PLFAs (ng g -1 dry wood material). Microbial groups of bacteria (B), fungi (F), Gram-negative bacteria (G - ), Gram-positive bacteria (G + ), actinomycetes (ACT), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were biomarkers by the characteristic fatty acids (Appendix 3) (Olsson et al., 1999). 2.5. Data analysis The effects of month, distance from the edge, and their interactions on temperature, moisture content, and mass loss of CWD were determined by repeated measures ANOVA for each species. We used three-way ANOVA to test the distance from edge, tree species, and altitude gradient on mass loss and microbial community changes. Due to significant interactions among altitude, edge distance, and species, all comparisons among altitude, edge distance or tree species were performed using one-way ANOVA of Dunnett’s post-hoc. The microbial communities in the soil (0-5 cm), under each CWD and in the CWD itself were compared by simple correlation analysis, and differences in the PLFA signatures of the microbial community under CWD or soil among different treatments (tree species, altitude gradient or edge distance) were tested by redundancy analysis (RDA). All data were analysed using SPSS 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. 3. Results 3.1. Distance from edge effects During the two-year experimental period, the mean mass loss of P. taiwanensis and C. camphora 60 m away from the forest edge was significantly greater than that at the forest edge at both sites (Table 2 and Fig. 1). The moisture content of the CWD segments was also greater 60 m from the forest edge than at the edge throughout the two-year period (Fig. 2). There was a significant positive correlation between CWD's mass loss and moisture content for each altitude, edge distance, and tree species (Table 3). 3.2. Microbial community composition Concentrations of total PLFA, total fungi, total bacteria, G + bacteria, G - bacteria, soil fungi, and AMF in the soil beneath CWD of both tree species were all higher 60m from the forest edge than at the forest edge (Fig. 3). Concentrations of total PLFA, total bacteria, total fungi, G + bacteria, G - bacteria, fungi, and AMF in the CWD of both tree species were also higher 60 m from the forest edge than at the edge (Fig. 4). The concentrations of fungal components (total fungi, fungi, and AMF) in the CWD were generally higher than that of bacteria components (total bacteria, G + bacteria, and G - bacteria) (Fig. 4). 3.3. Relationship between soil and CWD microbial communities Correlations between microbial communities in CWD and soil (Table 4) were generally positive in plots 60 m from the forest edge. There were some negative correlations between CWD fungi and soil fungi at the forest edge (Table 4). 3.4. Effects of edge distance and tree species on CWD microbial community Distance to the forest edge had a larger influence on the CWD microbial community than did tree species or altitude (Table 5). Distance to edge explained 17.4% of the total variation, while tree species and altitude explained 3.1% and 10.9%, respectively (Table 5). 4. Discussion Consistent with our hypothesis, mass loss of CWD within this studied subtropical forest was > 15 % greater than that at the edge, at both altitudes, which is lower to the 23 % greater mass loss of woodblocks placed 100 m into the forest than at the edge in a temperate forest (Crockatt & Bebber, 2015). The CWD at the forest edge had lower moisture content throughout the study, which is consistent with our hypothesis. Similarly, Crockatt and Bebber (2015) reported that the moisture content of the woodblocks increased with distance from the edge. The higher moisture content of soil and wood in the forest interior probably facilitated the detection and colonization of CWD by microbes, which are largely soil-dwelling (Mäkipää et al., 2017; Fukasawa et al., 2018; Law et al., 2019). Malmivaara-Lämsä et al . (2008) found that fungal biomass was about 30 % higher 20 m inside the forest when compared to the edge, due to the higher humus moisture content inside the forest. In our study, CWD of both tree species in the forest interior had greater total PLFA, total bacteria, total fungi, G + bacteria, G - bacteria, fungi, and AMF compared to CWD at the forest edge. Other studies have reported increased activity of both wood- and litter-decomposing saprotrophic fungi with distance from the forest edge (Snäll & Jonsson, 2001; Riutta et al., 2012; Crockatt & Bebber, 2015; Fukasawa et al., 2015, 2018; Ruwanza, 2019). Previous studies also reported that the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi was greater within forests than at edges (Malmivaara-Lämsä et al., 2008; Kjøller et al., 2012; Erlandson et al., 2016; Boeraeve et al., 2019). The abundance and diversity of various soil fauna groups may also be reduced near forest edges (Goosem, 2000; Laurance et al., 2002; Lehtinen et al., 2003; Watson et al., 2004; Laurance, 2004; Pfeifer et al., 2017). Microorganisms community play a critical role in the process of wood decomposition (Harmon et al., 1986). The results observed in this study could be directly explained by the variation and changes of microbial decomposers communities in different edge distance. With the significantly larger and higher concentrations of wood fungal, bacterial and total PLFAs, the decomposition of CC and PT was faster in 60 m from the forest edge than at the edge. In addition, this study found that edge distance (17.4%) played a more important role than tree species (3.1%) and altitude gradient (10.9%) in determining the variation of microbial decomposers community of CWD itself (Table 5). Therefore, those results indicated that the degree and the existence of edge effects depended on the variation and characteristics of microbial community. The fungal communities inhabited in wood and soil could interact and link at all the decay stage and process of CWD, which showed critical role in the decomposing of CWD (Purahong et al., 2019; Mäkipää et al., 2017). Therefore, CWD decomposition of different species could be determined by the significant relationship between soil and CWD microbial decomposers community observed in each edge distance and tree species combination (Fukasawa et al., 2018; Mäkipää et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2019b). Specifically, our study showed a negative relationship of fungi component between soil and CWD itself for CC and PT in forest edge, but positive correlations in 60 m from the forest edge (Table 4), which could be an reason for the results of the decompose of PT and CC was faster in 60 m from the forest edge than that in forest edge. Therefore, this study suggested that fungi played a significantly important role in determining the decomposition rate of CWD for the two species (Fig. 3), thus determining the variation of edge effects of CWD decomposition in subtropical forest. Previous studies also found that the abundance and community composition of variation faunal groups could be altered by the changes in forest edge effects (Goosem, 2000; Laurance et al., 2002; Lehtinen et al., 2003; Watson et al., 2004; Laurance, 2004; Pfeifer et al., 2017). Malmivaara-Lämsä et al . (2008) found an increase in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) and total fungal biomass by about 30% from the edge to 20 m inside the forest, which was directly explained by an increase in humus moisture, which result supported our study. In addition, the decrease of moisture content at the forest edge has been found to influence the decomposition rates of both wood- and litter-decomposing fungi (Riutta et al., 2012; Crockatt & Bebber, 2015; Ruwanza, 2019) and moisture content is known to influence the composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EcMF) community (Erland & Taylor, 2002; Erlandson et al., 2016). Similarly, decreased moisture availability at forest edges can be expected to affect the frequency of and decomposition by saprotrophic fungi (Crockatt & Bebber, 2015; Snäll & Jonsson, 2001), community composition of mutualistic fungi (Shi et al., 2002), mycorrhizal communities (Boeraeve et al., 2019) and interactions between different fungal groups (Kilpeläinen et al., 2017). In this study, the M CWD of the two different tree species in 60 m from the forest edge was higher than in forest edge in each altitude gradient (Fig. 2). Meanwhile, Kjøller et al . (2012) found that the number of EcMF root tips, mycelial production and species richness were increased with increasing distance from the forest edge. Therefore, those results could partly explain the higher ML CWD in 60 m from the forest edge than that in forest edge. This study investigated CWD decomposition during a two-year experimental period, a relatively short time span considering the turnover time of wood. Long-term research is needed to determine decay rates and the proportion of the CWD mass that is converted into more persistent organic-matter pools over a longer study period. Our sampling method-collecting a 2-cm-thick disk from the end part of each CWD segment-would have increased exposure of the segment to fungal invasion. This would overestimate actual rates of decomposition but should be more realistic than the common practice of using woodblocks or tongue depressors. 5. Conclusion Coarse woody debris of two tree species ( Cinnamomum camphora and Pinus taiwanensis) placed at the edge of a subtropical forest decomposed slower than that placed 60 m within the forest. Rates of decay positively correlated with abundance of microorganisms in the CWD and the CWD moisture content. Distance from edge (17.4%) was more important than tree species (3.1%) and altitude gradient (10.9%) in determining microbial abundance in CWD. Our results indicate that the lower moisture content at forest edges reduce microbial activity and CWD decomposition rates. Given the increasing rate of forest fragmentation worldwide, higher rates of CWD decomposition at forest edges need to be incorporated into global C models. Declarations Acknowledgment We are grateful to the Lushan Mountain National Forest Ecological Station for providing the study sites. This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31960303, 31901292 and 31460185). We thank Prof. Cindy E. Prescott and G. Geoff Wang of University of British Columbia and Clemson University for reviewing early draft of this manuscript and for providing many helpful suggestions for improving the manuscript. We also thank the two anonymous reviewers and the Editor of the journal for their suggestions on improving this manuscript. Author Contributions All authors contributed to the study at various phases. Specifically, C.S.W., C.J.S., B.Y.L., Z.J.Z., H.K.W., Y.Z., and Y.Q.L. were responsible for study design, data collection and analysis, and writing the early drafts of this research. C.S.W., and Y.Q.L. substantially contributed to interpreting and revising the manuscript. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. References Albiero-Júnior, A., Venegas-González, A., Rodríguez-Catón, M., Oliveira, J. M., Longhi-Santos, T., Galvão, F., Temponi, L.G., Botosso, P.C., 2020. 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Nature 551, 187-191. Purahong, W., Kahl, T., Krüger, D., Buscot, F., Hoppe, B., 2019. Home-Field Advantage in Wood Decomposition Is Mainly Mediated by Fungal Community Shifts at “Home” Versus “Away”. Microbial Ecology 78, 725-736. Riutta, T., Slade, E.M., Bebber, D.P., Taylor, M., Malhi, Y., Riordan, P., Macdonald, D.W., Morecroft, M.D., 2012. Experimental evidence for the interacting effects of forest edge, moisture and soil macrofauna on leaf litter decomposition. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 49, 124-131. Rowland, A.P., Roberts, J.D., 1994. Lignin and cellulose fractionation in decomposition studies using acid-detergent fibre methods. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 25, 269-277. Ruwanza, S., 2019. The Edge Effect on Plant Diversity and Soil Properties in Abandoned Fields Targeted for Ecological Restoration. Sustainability 11, 140. Shi, L., Guttenberger, M., Kottke, I., Hampp, R., 2002. The effect of drought on mycorrhizas of beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.): changes in community structure, and the content of carbohydrates and nitrogen storage bodies of the fungi. Mycorrhiza 12, 303-311. Snäll, T., Jonsson, B.G., 2001. Edge effects on six polyporous fungi used as old-growth indicators in Swedish boreal forest. Ecology Bulletins 255-262. Tang, X.L., Zhao, X., Bai, Y.F., Tang, Z.Y., Wang, W.T., Zhao, Y.C., Wan, H.W., Xie, Z.Q., Shi, X.Z., Wu, B.F., Wang, G.X., Yan, J.H., Ma, K.P., Du, S., Li, S.G., Han, S.J., Ma, Y.X., Hu, H.F., He, N.P., Yang, Y.H., Han, W.X., He, H.L., Yu, G.R., Fang, J.Y., Zhou, G.Y., 2018. Carbon pools in China’s terrestrial ecosystems: New estimates based on an intensive field survey. 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Biological Conservation 120, 311-327. Wu, C.S., Mo, Q.F., Wang, H.K., Zhang, Z.J., Huang, G.X., Ye, Q., Zou, Q., Kong, F.Q., Liu, Y.Q., Wang, G.G., 2018b. Moso bamboo ( Phyllostachys edulis (Carriere) J. Houzeau) invasion affects soil phosphorus dynamics in adjacent coniferous forests in subtropical China. Annals of Forest Science 75, 24. Wu, C.S., Ulyshen, M., Shu, C.J., Zhang, Z.J., Zhang, Y., Liu, Y.Q., Wang, G.G., 2021. Stronger effects of termites than microbes on wood decomposition in a subtropical forest. Forest Ecology and Management 493, 119263. Wu, C.S., Wang, H.K., Mo, Q.F., Zhang, Z.J., Huang, G.X., Kong, F.Q., Liu, Y.Q., Wang, G.G., 2019a. Effects of elevated UV-B radiation and N deposition on the decomposition of coarse woody debris. Science of the Total Environment 663, 170-176. Wu, C.S., Zhang, Z.J., Shu, C.J., Mo, Q.F., Wang, H.K., Kong, F.Q., Wang, G.G., Liu, Y.Q., 2020. The response of coarse woody debris decomposition and microbial community to nutrient additions in a subtropical forest. Forest Ecology and Management 460, 117799. Wu, C.S., Zhang, Z.J., Wang, H.K., Huang, G.X., Shu, C.J., Kong, F.Q., Zhang, Y., Wang, G.G., Liu, Y.Q., 2019b. Home-field advantage of CWD decomposition in subtropical forests varied by field sites. Forest Ecology and Management 444, 127-137. Wu, C.S., Zhang, Z.J., Wang, H.K., Li, C., Mo, Q.F., Liu, Y.Q., 2018a. Photodegradation accelerates coarse woody debris decomposition in subtropical Chinese forests. Forest Ecology and Management 409, 225-232. Zak, D.R., Ringelberg, D.B., Pregitzer, K.S., Randlett, D.L., White, D.C., Curtis, P.S., 1996. Soil microbial communities beneath populus grandidentata grown under elevated atmospheric CO 2 . Ecological Applications 6, 257-262. Zelles, L., 1999. Fatty acid patterns of phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides in the characterisation of microbial communities in soil: a review. Biology and Fertility of Soils 29, 111-129. Tables Table 1. Initial diameter, length and density (mean ± SE, n=6) of the log segments of the two tree species at each altitude (215m and 1400m) and forest edge distance (edge and 60m from the forest edge). Note: experiment material was all of similar decay stage. Tree species Altitude Edge distance Average diameter (cm) Average length (cm) Average density (g/cm 3 ) Pinus taiwanensis 215m edge 16.21±2.07 147.35±4.26 0.405±0.04 60m 15.87±1.94 150.06±3.88 0.411±0.03 1400m edge 15.66±2.11 147.56±4.16 0.403±0.04 60m 16.19±1.96 150.33±3.94 0.406±0.05 Cinnamomum camphora 215m edge 15.36±2.56 149.55±4.42 0.434±0.05 60m 15.62±1.99 150.32±3.88 0.452±0.03 1400m edge 15.77±2.24 147.33±4.28 0.442±0.03 60m 15.76±1.99 151.12±3.54 0.452±0.06 Table 2. Two-year average mass loss, temperature and moisture content of CWD (mean ± SE, n=6) of the two studied species at the two altitudes (215m and 1400m) and forest edge distances (edge and 60m from the forest edge) in Lushan Mountain, China. Different uppercase letters indicate significant differences between edge distances for the same species (e.g., Pinus taiwanensis or Cinnamomum camphora ) at p < 0.05) and altitude. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences among the two species for the same edge distance and altitude ( p < 0.05). Different lowercase letters in brackets indicate significant differences between altitudes for the same edge distance and tree species ( p < 0.05). Tree species Altitude Edge distance Mass loss (%) Temperature (℃) Moisture content (%) Pinus taiwanensis 215m edge 23.3±3.8 Ba (a) 16.71±1.32 Aa (a) 74.16±6.34 Ba (a) 60m 27.7±3.7 Ab (a) 16.01±1.11 Aa (a) 79.26±6.47 Aa (a) 1400m edge 15.5±3.6 Ba (c) 11.57±1.46 Aa (c) 69.74±6.54 Ba (b) 60m 20.1±3.4 Ab (c) 10.74±1.53 Aa (c) 75.36±6.25 Aa (b) Cinnamomum camphora 215m edge 29.6±4.1 Ba (a) 17.48±1.27 Aa (a) 73.60±6.13 Ba (a) 60m 34.0±4.5 Aa (a) 16.33±1.63 Aa (a) 79.03±7.22 Aa (a) 1400m edge 22.0±3.1 Ba (c) 12.20±1.38 Aa (c) 71.21±6.31 Ba (b) 60m 26.6±3.5 Aa (c) 11.04±1.75 Aa (c) 76.16±6.44 Aa (b) Table 3. Correlations of mass loss with moisture content and temperature of CWD by altitude, forest edge distance, and tree species. ns not significant, * p ＜0.05, ** p ＜0.01, *** p ＜0.001. Tree species Fixed effects 215m 1400m edge 60m edge 60m Pinus taiwanensis Mass loss × Moisture content 0.644 ** 0.689 ** 0.705 ** 0.731 ** Mass loss × Temperature 0.035 ns 0.058 ns 0.093 ns 0.051 ns Cinnamomum camphora Mass loss × Moisture content 0.672 ** 0.693 ** 0.711 ** 0.749 ** Mass loss × Temperature 0.078 ns 0.051 ns 0.064 ns 0.076 ns Table 4. Correlation between the composition of different phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) (ng g -1 dry mass) signatures of CWD and soil for each altitude, forest-edge distance, and tree-species combination. Total, total PLFA concentrations; B, bacterial PLFAs; F, fungal PLFAs; F/B, the fungal to bacterial ratio; G + , Gram-positive bacteria; G - , Gram-negative bacteria; G + /G - , ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria; AMF, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. ns not significant, * p ＜0.05, ** p ＜0.01, *** p ＜0.001. Fixed effects Altitude Edge distance AMF Fungi Total Fungi G + G - Total B Total Pinus taiwanensis × Soil 215m edge 0.643 * -0.611 * -0.678 * 0.822 * 0.662 * 0.704 ** 0.771 ** 60m 0.801 ** 0.778 ** 0.791 ** 0.767 ** 0.683 * 0.778 ** 0.804 ** 1400m edge 0.654 * -0.647 * -0.674 * 0.789 ** 0.771 * 0.782 ** 0.801 ** 60m 0.812 ** 0.785 ** 0.799 ** 0.801 ** 0.788 * 0.784 ** 0.797 ** Cinnamomum camphora ×Soil 215m edge 0.634 * -0.645 * -0.635 * 0.811 ** 0.642 * 0.661 * 0.788 ** 60m 0.803 ** 0.777 ** 0.781 ** 0.781 ** 0.650 * 0.789 ** 0.804 ** 1400m edge 0.639 * -0.627 * -0.647 * 0.789 ** 0.629 * 0.796 ** 0.792 ** 60m 0.811 ** 0.784 ** 0.796 ** 0.801 ** 0.640 * 0.769 ** 0.781 ** Table 5. Effects of tree species, altitude, and forest-edge distance on the selected phospholipid fatty acid (PLFAs) signatures of CWD tested with redundancy analysis (RDA). Explanatory variable Explained variance % Contribution % Pseudo-F P ( < 0.05) Tree species 3.1 9.5 3.8 0.036 Altitude 10.9 37.2 18.8 0.002 Forest edge distance 17.4 45.5 20.6 0.001 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 17 Sep, 2021 Read the published version in Forest Science → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-526702","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":28571658,"identity":"a2f96a1f-3132-4164-b9c0-bc42f9802e8c","order_by":0,"name":"Chunsheng Wu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanchang Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Chunsheng","middleName":"","lastName":"Wu","suffix":""},{"id":28571659,"identity":"ff3b0240-a84a-448e-afeb-6191391aff1e","order_by":1,"name":"Chunjie Shu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanchang Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Chunjie","middleName":"","lastName":"Shu","suffix":""},{"id":28571660,"identity":"a5776288-8474-45e9-8b4c-4ab7bcf137d1","order_by":2,"name":"Baoyong Li","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jiangxi Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Baoyong","middleName":"","lastName":"Li","suffix":""},{"id":28571661,"identity":"b2be0743-d44e-40b9-822f-fb56c147c9c4","order_by":3,"name":"Zhijian Zhang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jiangxi Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zhijian","middleName":"","lastName":"Zhang","suffix":""},{"id":28571662,"identity":"da69b51b-6e4c-4cf6-824c-ff0afffc676c","order_by":4,"name":"Yanyan Li","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanchang Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yanyan","middleName":"","lastName":"Li","suffix":""},{"id":28571663,"identity":"9debdb0f-a257-47c8-857b-9941b353c120","order_by":5,"name":"Yi Zhang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Lushan Nature Reserve of Jiangxi","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yi","middleName":"","lastName":"Zhang","suffix":""},{"id":28571664,"identity":"469d5419-99e0-4341-9080-a3c37b774548","order_by":6,"name":"Yuanqiu Liu","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAvUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPmYQySPBzM/MfPgBUVrYwFpkbNgl29nSDIjTAiZt0vgNzvMoSBCnhZ3HTOJNzmFp48M8DAYMNTbRRDiMx0xyzpnDxmaHeQ88YDiWlttAjBZp3p7DyWaH+RIMGBsOE6vl3+H6zc08BhLEa+HhSWM2YCZeC1ux5RweG2aJw8BATiDGL/z8hzfeeAOKyv7Dhx98qLEhrAUIWCR4YMwEIpSDAPMHHsKKRsEoGAWjYCQDAOxZMhvP4L3RAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Jiangxi Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":true,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yuanqiu","middleName":"","lastName":"Liu","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2021-05-15 07:21:28","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-526702/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-526702/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxab035","type":"published","date":"2021-09-17T16:42:55+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":9723137,"identity":"d65f572d-49aa-4679-b8cd-789ce74f2047","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-28 19:01:30","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":114548,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"Patterns of mass loss of two tree species of CWD (fresh wood) at each altitude (215m and 1400m) and forest-edge distance (edge and 60m from the forest edge) during 24 months of decomposition in Lushan Mountain of subtropical China.","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-526702/v1/ee2e17747567d4fa1f5edd4f.jpg"},{"id":9723644,"identity":"7e9788c0-66aa-4248-b950-5f9f8717760a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-28 19:04:30","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":202552,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"Temperature and moisture content of CWD of the two tree species at each altitude (215m and 1400m) and forest-edge distance (edge and 60m from the forest edge) during the 24-month incubation.","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-526702/v1/0d14772b8b537c9273dd5175.jpg"},{"id":9723128,"identity":"2bccd1f6-62be-4c4f-b076-e2ae6e152bdb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-28 19:01:26","extension":"jpg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":164057,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"Soil phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) (mean ± SE; ng g-1 dry soil) signatures (0-5cm) under CWD of the two tree species at each forest-edge distance (edge and 60m from the forest edge) and altitude (215m and 1400m) in Lushan Mountain of subtropical China. Total, total PLFA concentrations; B, bacterial PLFAs; F, fungal PLFAs; F/B, fungal to bacterial ratio; G+, Gram-positive bacteria; G-, Gram-negative bacteria; G+/G-, ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria; AMF, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.","description":"","filename":"3.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-526702/v1/c71e6b8409ed94935d4e523f.jpg"},{"id":9723133,"identity":"3d161fcb-ee38-4b88-9126-b9d506c005f0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-28 19:01:29","extension":"jpg","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":161325,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) (mean ± SE; ng g-1 dry wood material) signatures of the CWD of the two tree species at each forest-edge distance (edge and 60m from the forest edge) and altitude (215m and 1400m) in Lushan Mountain of subtropical China. Total, total PLFA concentrations; B, bacterial PLFAs; F, fungal PLFAs; F/B, the fungal to bacterial ratio; G+, Gram-positive bacteria; G-, Gram-negative bacteria; G+/G-, ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria; AMF, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.","description":"","filename":"4.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-526702/v1/fe3952d15ae943e6371a07b0.jpg"},{"id":16077356,"identity":"650107a6-48c6-405e-a655-90f7f8b38199","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-12-01 16:42:59","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":773240,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-526702/v1/cef05f2a-9ad1-4145-b257-7b2833f11b32.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eForest Fragmentation Slows the Decomposition of Coarse Woody Debris in a Subtropical Forest\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":" \u003cp\u003eForests around the world store a large amount of carbon (C) in soils, dead and living above-ground biomass (including coarse woody debris: CWD), which is regarded as a significant C sink (Pan et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Understanding the factors that influence rates of C cycling processes in forests (including CWD decomposition) is necessary to quantify the role of global forests in the global C cycle (Pan et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Tang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Forest fragmentation due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances is a global phenomenon, affecting forest ecosystem functioning (Numata et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; FAO, 2010; Haddad et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Barlow et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Globally, nearly 20 % of all forest area is situated within 100 m of a forest edge (Haddad et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Forest edges have distinct microclimates from forest interiors, including lower soil moisture, lower humidity, increased light availability, and increased wind and rain impacts (Laurance and Yensen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e; Didham \u0026amp; Ewers, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Albiero-J\u0026uacute;nior et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). These altered microclimatic conditions at forest edges can alter the decay rates of CWD. In a temperate forest in the United Kingdom, blocks of wood from European beech (\u003cem\u003eFagus sylvatica\u003c/em\u003e) placed at the forest edge lost mass at about half the rate of blocks placed 100 m within the forest (Crockatt \u0026amp; Bebber, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). The slower mass loss was attributed to the lower humidity and moisture content of the decaying wood at the forest edge (Crockatt \u0026amp; Bebber, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast, in a temperate forest in USA, Forrester et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) reported higher respiration rates from CWD in canopy gaps than under intact canopy.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlterations in microclimatic conditions near forest edges may also influence soil microbial community composition. Previous studies have shown that the abundance of fungi strongly increased in response to changes in microclimate conditions due to edge effects (Boddy et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1989\u003c/span\u003e; Boddy, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e; Casta\u0026ntilde;o et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; van der Linde et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Boeraeve et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). The fungal communities in soil and wood interact during all CWD decay phases (M\u0026auml;kip\u0026auml;\u0026auml; et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Purahong et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Wu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), so changes in soil microbial communities due to edge effects could also alter fungal community dynamics within decomposing CWD. Reduced moisture availability at forest edges can affect the growth and activity of saprotrophic fungi (Crockatt \u0026amp; Bebber, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Sn\u0026auml;ll \u0026amp; Jonsson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e) and mycorrhizal fungi (Boeraeve et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, the abundance of white rot species, such as \u003cem\u003eXeromphalina campanella\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eRigidoporus\u003c/em\u003e sp. and \u003cem\u003eSkeletocutis odora\u003c/em\u003e, is positively correlated with moisture content (Fukasawa et al., 2015, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHere, we compare rates of decomposition and microbial communities in CWD in the interior and edges of a subtropical forest ecosystem. We measured two-year mass loss of CWD of \u003cem\u003ePinus taiwanensis\u003c/em\u003e Hayata and \u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora\u003c/em\u003e (Linn.) Presl at the forest edge and 60 m into the forest and characterized the microbial community in the decaying CWD. The experiment was conducted at sites at two elevations (215m and 1400m a.s.l.). Specifically, we asked: (1) do CWD mass loss rates differ between forest edge and forest interior positions? (2), do microbial communities in decaying CWD differ between forest edge and interior positions? and (3) how do characteristics of the microbial community relate to environmental conditions in the two environments? Based on studies from temperate forests, we hypothesize that CWD decomposition rates will be lower at the forest edge than in the forest interior and that the differences will be related to changes in microbial communities and moisture.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"2. Materials And Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.1. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eStudy area\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis field research was conducted in a mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forest (CBF) at Lushan Mountain in Jiangxi Province, China (29\u0026deg;31\u0026prime;~29\u0026deg;41\u0026prime; N, 115\u0026deg;51\u0026prime;~116\u0026deg;07\u0026prime; E). The area is characterized as a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Mean annual precipitation and temperature range from 1308 to 2068 mm, and from 17.1 to 11.6 \u0026deg;C, respectively (Wu et al., 2019b). According to the FAO soil texture classification, soil types in Lushan change from ferric alisols at low elevations to haplic alisols at high ones (Liu \u0026amp; Wang, 2010; Wu et al., 2018b). Mixed coniferous\u0026ndash;broad-leaved forests are dominated by several \u003cem\u003ePlatycarya strobilacea \u003c/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Acer davidii\u003c/em\u003e species, and some deciduous woodland species and shrubs (Liu \u0026amp; Wang, 2010).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.2. Sampling design\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn December 2015, study sites were established in a mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forest at two altitudes (215m and 1400m). The sites at the two altitudes had similar aspect, slope steepness and position, stand age, and understory vegetation. Characteristics of the soils at the two sites are provided in Appendix 1. At each site, three plots were established within 0-5 m (Plot one: 2 m, Plot two: 3 m, Plots three: 2.5 m) of the forest edge, and another three plots were established 60 m (Plot one: 60 m, Plot two: 59.5 m, Plots threee: 59 m) inside the forest. The two tree species selected for CWD were \u003cem\u003ePinus taiwanensis \u003c/em\u003eHayata and \u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora \u003c/em\u003e(Linn.) Presl. Fresh logs about 15 cm in central diameter were selected and cut into segments about 150 cm long (Table 1). Two CWD segments of each tree species were placed flush on the ground 30 cm from one another and 35 cm from the boundary of each plot. Therefore, a total of 48 CWD segments (2 altitudes \u0026times; 2 edge distances \u0026times; 3 plots \u0026times; 2 CWD species \u0026times; 2 segments) were tested.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.3. Wood physicochemical properties analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 2-cm-thick disk of each CWD was collected from a randomly selected place on each of the 48 logs at the beginning of the experiment and after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months. Disks were sealed in a plastic bag to preserve their moisture content before being transferred to the laboratory (Wu et al., 2018a, 2019a). The disk samples were collected more than 80 cm from the mid of wood. Each CWD sample was weighed and then oven-dried at 70\u0026deg;C and re-weighed, and their moisture content was calculated using equation (1).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere M\u003csub\u003eCWD\u003c/sub\u003e (%)\u0026nbsp;was the moisture content of each CWD during each measurement, W\u003csub\u003ew\u003c/sub\u003e (g)\u0026nbsp;was the wet wood weight, and W\u003csub\u003ed\u003c/sub\u003e (g) was the dry weight.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe density of each CWD was calculated using equation (2): First, the weights of the disks of the CWD were measured (m, g), and the disks were placed in a container with a specific amount of water and wood disks in the container (V\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e, ml),\u0026nbsp;the initial volume of water (V\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, ml)\u0026nbsp;and the density of each CWD sample (p, g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e)\u0026nbsp;was calculated.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMass loss from each CWD was calculated using equation (3).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhere ML\u003csub\u003eCWD\u003c/sub\u003e (%)\u0026nbsp;was the mass loss of each CWD sample during each measurement, M\u003csub\u003ei\u003c/sub\u003e (g) was\u0026nbsp;the initial dry mass, and M\u003csub\u003et\u003c/sub\u003e (g)\u0026nbsp;was the wood mass after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 or 24 months.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCWD temperature was measured at approximately 2 cm depth using a hand-held long-stem thermometer (Model SK-250WP, Sato Keiryoki Mfg. Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). Concentrations of C and N in each CWD sample were determined using a TOC analyzer (Vario TOC, Elementar, German), and concentrations of lignin and cellulose were determined using the ADF-sulphuric method (Rowland et al., 1994) and the Kjeldahl method (K-370, Buchi Scientific Instruments, Switzerland). Soil available N (sum of the ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, amino acid and readily hydrolyzed proteins nitrogen) was measured through the oxidation hydrolyzed into ammonia nitrogen, then absorbed by the boric acid solution and determined by sulfuric acid and titration (Liu, 1996). Soil available P was extracted using HCl-NH\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003eF solution and determined by Molybdenum-Antimony Anti colorimetric assay (Liu, 1996). Relative to \u003cem\u003eP. taiwanensis, C. camphora\u003c/em\u003e CWD had higher initial concentrations of carbon and lignin, and lower cellulose (Appendix 1). Soil organic matter, N, hydrolyzed N and available P significantly differed between the two sites (Appendix 2).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.4. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLF\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eA) analyses\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMicrobial biomass and the relative index of bacterial to fungal biomass were estimated by PLFA analysis (Bossio \u0026amp; Scow, 1998; Olsson et al., 1999). CWD samples and mineral soil (0-5 cm) under each CWD segment were collected every three months during the study period and stored at -20℃ for PLFA analysis. Concentrations of each PLFA were calculated relative to the 19:0 internal standard concentration. Total microbial biomass summed by each individual PLFAs (ng g\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e dry wood material). Microbial groups of bacteria (B), fungi (F), Gram-negative bacteria (G\u003csup\u003e-\u003c/sup\u003e), Gram-positive bacteria (G\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e), actinomycetes (ACT), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were biomarkers by the characteristic fatty acids (Appendix 3) (Olsson et al., 1999).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.5. Data analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe effects of month, distance from the edge, and their interactions on temperature, moisture content, and mass loss of CWD were determined by repeated measures ANOVA for each species. We used three-way ANOVA to test the distance from edge, tree species, and altitude gradient on mass loss and microbial community changes. Due to significant interactions among altitude, edge distance, and species, all comparisons among altitude, edge distance or tree species were performed using one-way ANOVA of Dunnett\u0026rsquo;s post-hoc. The microbial communities in the soil (0-5 cm), under each CWD and in the CWD itself were compared by simple correlation analysis, and differences in the PLFA signatures of the microbial community under CWD or soil among different treatments (tree species, altitude gradient or edge distance) were tested by redundancy analysis (RDA). All data were analysed using SPSS 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Differences were considered significant at \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e3.1. Distance from edge effects\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the two-year experimental period, the mean mass loss of \u003cem\u003eP. taiwanensis\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eC. camphora\u003c/em\u003e 60 m away from the forest edge was significantly greater than that at the forest edge at both sites (Table 2 and Fig. 1). The moisture content of the CWD segments was also greater 60 m from the forest edge than at the edge throughout the two-year period (Fig. 2). There was a significant positive correlation between CWD's mass loss and moisture content for each altitude, edge distance, and tree species (Table 3).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e3.2. Microbial community composition\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConcentrations of total PLFA, total fungi, total bacteria, G\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e bacteria, G\u003csup\u003e-\u003c/sup\u003e bacteria, soil fungi, and AMF in the soil beneath CWD of both tree species were all higher 60m from the forest edge than at the forest edge (Fig. 3). Concentrations of total PLFA, total bacteria, total fungi, G\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e bacteria, G\u003csup\u003e-\u003c/sup\u003e bacteria, fungi, and AMF in the CWD of both tree species were also higher 60 m from the forest edge than at the edge (Fig. 4). The concentrations of fungal components (total fungi, fungi, and AMF) in the CWD were generally higher than that of bacteria components (total bacteria, G\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e bacteria, and G\u003csup\u003e-\u003c/sup\u003e bacteria) (Fig. 4).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e3.3. Relationship between soil and CWD microbial communities\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorrelations between microbial communities in CWD and soil (Table 4) were generally positive in plots 60 m from the forest edge. There were some negative correlations between CWD fungi and soil fungi at the forest edge (Table 4).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e3.4. Effects of edge distance and tree species on CWD microbial community\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDistance to the forest edge had a larger influence on the CWD microbial community than did tree species or altitude (Table 5). Distance to edge explained 17.4% of the total variation, while tree species and altitude explained 3.1% and 10.9%, respectively (Table 5).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eConsistent with our hypothesis, mass loss of CWD within this studied subtropical forest was \u0026gt; 15 % greater than that at the edge, at both altitudes, which is lower to the 23 % greater mass loss of woodblocks placed 100 m into the forest than at the edge in a temperate forest (Crockatt \u0026amp; Bebber, 2015). The CWD at the forest edge had lower moisture content throughout the study, which is consistent with our hypothesis. Similarly, Crockatt and Bebber (2015) reported that the moisture content of the woodblocks increased with distance from the edge.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe higher moisture content of soil and wood in the forest interior probably facilitated the detection and colonization of CWD by microbes, which are largely soil-dwelling (M\u0026auml;kip\u0026auml;\u0026auml; et al., 2017; Fukasawa et al., 2018; Law et al., 2019). Malmivaara-L\u0026auml;ms\u0026auml; \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2008) found that fungal biomass was about 30 % higher 20 m inside the forest when compared to the edge, due to the higher humus moisture content inside the forest. In our study, CWD of both tree species in the forest interior had greater total PLFA, total bacteria, total fungi, G\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e bacteria, G\u003csup\u003e-\u003c/sup\u003e bacteria, fungi, and AMF compared to CWD at the forest edge. Other studies have reported increased activity of both wood- and litter-decomposing saprotrophic fungi with distance from the forest edge (Sn\u0026auml;ll \u0026amp; Jonsson, 2001; Riutta et al., 2012; Crockatt \u0026amp; Bebber, 2015; Fukasawa et al., 2015, 2018; Ruwanza, 2019). Previous studies also reported that the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi was greater within forests than at edges (Malmivaara-L\u0026auml;ms\u0026auml; et al., 2008; Kj\u0026oslash;ller et al., 2012; Erlandson et al., 2016; Boeraeve et al., 2019). The abundance and diversity of various soil fauna groups may also be reduced near forest edges (Goosem, 2000; Laurance et al., 2002; Lehtinen et al., 2003; Watson et al., 2004; Laurance, 2004; Pfeifer et al., 2017).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMicroorganisms community play a critical role in the process of wood decomposition (Harmon et al., 1986). The results observed in this study could be directly explained by the variation and changes of microbial decomposers communities in different edge distance. With the significantly larger and higher concentrations of wood fungal, bacterial and total PLFAs, the decomposition of CC and PT was faster in 60 m from the forest edge than at the edge. In addition, this study found that edge distance (17.4%) played a more important role than tree species (3.1%) and altitude gradient (10.9%) in determining the variation of microbial decomposers community of CWD itself (Table 5). Therefore, those results indicated that the degree and the existence of edge effects depended on the variation and characteristics of microbial community.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fungal communities inhabited in wood and soil could interact and link at all the decay stage and process of CWD, which showed critical role in the decomposing of CWD (Purahong et al., 2019; M\u0026auml;kip\u0026auml;\u0026auml; et al., 2017). Therefore, CWD decomposition of different species could be determined by the significant relationship between soil and CWD microbial decomposers community observed in each edge distance and tree species combination (Fukasawa et al., 2018; M\u0026auml;kip\u0026auml;\u0026auml; et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2019b). Specifically, our study showed a negative relationship of fungi component between soil and CWD itself for CC and PT in forest edge, but positive correlations in 60 m from the forest edge (Table 4), which could be an reason for the results of the decompose of PT and CC was faster in 60 m from the forest edge than that in forest edge. Therefore, this study suggested that fungi played a significantly important role in determining the decomposition rate of CWD for the two species (Fig. 3), thus determining the variation of edge effects of CWD decomposition in subtropical forest. Previous studies also found that the abundance and community composition of variation faunal groups could be altered by the changes in forest edge effects (Goosem, 2000; Laurance et al., 2002; Lehtinen et al., 2003; Watson et al., 2004; Laurance, 2004; Pfeifer et al., 2017).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMalmivaara-L\u0026auml;ms\u0026auml; \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2008) found an increase in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) and total fungal biomass by about 30% from the edge to 20 m inside the forest, which was directly explained by an increase in humus moisture, which result supported our study. In addition, the decrease of moisture content at the forest edge has been found to influence the decomposition rates of both wood- and litter-decomposing fungi (Riutta et al., 2012; Crockatt \u0026amp; Bebber, 2015; Ruwanza, 2019) and moisture content is known to influence the composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EcMF) community (Erland \u0026amp; Taylor, 2002; Erlandson et al., 2016). Similarly, decreased moisture availability at forest edges can be expected to affect the frequency of and decomposition by saprotrophic fungi (Crockatt \u0026amp; Bebber, 2015; Sn\u0026auml;ll \u0026amp; Jonsson, 2001), community composition of mutualistic fungi (Shi et al., 2002), mycorrhizal communities (Boeraeve et al., 2019) and interactions between different fungal groups (Kilpel\u0026auml;inen et al., 2017). In this study, the M\u003csub\u003eCWD\u003c/sub\u003e of the two different tree species in 60 m from the forest edge was higher than in forest edge in each altitude gradient (Fig. 2). Meanwhile, Kj\u0026oslash;ller \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2012) found that the number of EcMF root tips, mycelial production and species richness were increased with increasing distance from the forest edge. Therefore, those results could partly explain the higher ML\u003csub\u003eCWD\u003c/sub\u003e in 60 m from the forest edge than that in forest edge.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study investigated CWD decomposition during a two-year experimental period, a relatively short time span considering the turnover time of wood. Long-term research is needed to determine decay rates and the proportion of the CWD mass that is converted into more persistent organic-matter pools over a longer study period. Our sampling method-collecting a 2-cm-thick disk from the end part of each CWD segment-would have increased exposure of the segment to fungal invasion. This would overestimate actual rates of decomposition but should be more realistic than the common practice of using woodblocks or tongue depressors.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eCoarse woody debris of two tree species (\u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ePinus taiwanensis) \u003c/em\u003eplaced at the edge of a subtropical forest decomposed slower than that placed 60 m within the forest. Rates of decay positively correlated with abundance of microorganisms in the CWD and the CWD moisture content. Distance from edge (17.4%) was more important than tree species (3.1%) and altitude gradient (10.9%) in determining microbial abundance in CWD. Our results indicate that the lower moisture content at forest edges reduce microbial activity and CWD decomposition rates. Given the increasing rate of forest fragmentation worldwide, higher rates of CWD decomposition at forest edges need to be incorporated into global C models.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgment\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are grateful to the Lushan Mountain National Forest Ecological Station for providing the study sites. This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31960303, 31901292 and 31460185). We thank Prof. Cindy E. Prescott and G. Geoff Wang of University of British Columbia and Clemson University for reviewing early draft of this manuscript and for providing many helpful suggestions for improving the manuscript. We also thank the two anonymous reviewers and the Editor of the journal for their suggestions on improving this manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll authors contributed to the study at various phases. Specifically, C.S.W., C.J.S., B.Y.L., Z.J.Z., H.K.W., Y.Z., and Y.Q.L. were responsible for study design, data collection and analysis, and writing the early drafts of this research. C.S.W., and Y.Q.L. substantially contributed to interpreting and revising the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of Interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003cp\u003eAlbiero-J\u0026uacute;nior, A., Venegas-Gonz\u0026aacute;lez, A., Rodr\u0026iacute;guez-Cat\u0026oacute;n, M., Oliveira, J. M., Longhi-Santos, T., Galv\u0026atilde;o, F., Temponi, L.G., Botosso, P.C., 2020. 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Forest Ecology and Management 493, 119263.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWu, C.S., Wang, H.K., Mo, Q.F., Zhang, Z.J., Huang, G.X., Kong, F.Q., Liu, Y.Q., Wang, G.G., 2019a. Effects of elevated UV-B radiation and N deposition on the decomposition of coarse woody debris. Science of the Total Environment 663, 170-176.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWu, C.S., Zhang, Z.J., Shu, C.J., Mo, Q.F., Wang, H.K., Kong, F.Q., Wang, G.G., Liu, Y.Q., 2020. The response of coarse woody debris decomposition and microbial community to nutrient additions in a subtropical forest. Forest Ecology and Management 460, 117799.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWu, C.S., Zhang, Z.J., Wang, H.K., Huang, G.X., Shu, C.J., Kong, F.Q., Zhang, Y., Wang, G.G., Liu, Y.Q., 2019b. Home-field advantage of CWD decomposition in subtropical forests varied by field sites. Forest Ecology and Management 444, 127-137.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWu, C.S., Zhang, Z.J., Wang, H.K., Li, C., Mo, Q.F., Liu, Y.Q., 2018a. Photodegradation accelerates coarse woody debris decomposition in subtropical Chinese forests. Forest Ecology and Management 409, 225-232.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZak, D.R., Ringelberg, D.B., Pregitzer, K.S., Randlett, D.L., White, D.C., Curtis, P.S., 1996. Soil microbial communities beneath \u003cem\u003epopulus grandidentata \u003c/em\u003egrown under elevated atmospheric CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e. Ecological Applications 6, 257-262.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZelles, L., 1999. Fatty acid patterns of phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides in the characterisation of microbial communities in soil: a review. Biology and Fertility of Soils 29, 111-129.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1.\u003c/strong\u003e Initial diameter, length and density (mean \u0026plusmn; SE, n=6) of the log segments of the two tree species at each altitude (215m and 1400m) and forest edge distance (edge and 60m from the forest edge). Note: experiment material was all of similar decay stage.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" width=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"115\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTree species\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"54\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAltitude\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEdge distance\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAverage diameter (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAverage length (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAverage density (g/cm\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" width=\"115\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePinus taiwanensis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"54\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e215m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.21\u0026plusmn;2.07\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e147.35\u0026plusmn;4.26\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.405\u0026plusmn;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15.87\u0026plusmn;1.94\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e150.06\u0026plusmn;3.88\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.411\u0026plusmn;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"54\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1400m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15.66\u0026plusmn;2.11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e147.56\u0026plusmn;4.16\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.403\u0026plusmn;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.19\u0026plusmn;1.96\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e150.33\u0026plusmn;3.94\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.406\u0026plusmn;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" width=\"115\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"54\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e215m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15.36\u0026plusmn;2.56\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e149.55\u0026plusmn;4.42\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.434\u0026plusmn;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15.62\u0026plusmn;1.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e150.32\u0026plusmn;3.88\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.452\u0026plusmn;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"54\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1400m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15.77\u0026plusmn;2.24\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e147.33\u0026plusmn;4.28\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.442\u0026plusmn;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"96\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15.76\u0026plusmn;1.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"84\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e151.12\u0026plusmn;3.54\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"92\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.452\u0026plusmn;0.06\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2.\u003c/strong\u003e Two-year average mass loss, temperature and moisture content of CWD (mean \u0026plusmn; SE, n=6) of the two studied species at the two altitudes (215m and 1400m) and forest edge distances (edge and 60m from the forest edge) in Lushan Mountain, China. Different uppercase letters indicate significant differences between edge distances for the same species (e.g., \u003cem\u003ePinus taiwanensis\u003c/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora\u003c/em\u003e) at \u003cem\u003ep \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.05) and altitude. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences among the two species for the same edge distance and altitude (\u003cem\u003ep \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.05). Different lowercase letters in brackets indicate significant differences between altitudes for the same edge distance and tree species (\u003cem\u003ep \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" width=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTree species\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAltitude\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEdge distance\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMass loss\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(℃)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoisture content\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePinus taiwanensis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e215m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e23.3\u0026plusmn;3.8 \u003csup\u003eBa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.71\u0026plusmn;1.32 \u003csup\u003eAa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e74.16\u0026plusmn;6.34 \u003csup\u003eBa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e27.7\u0026plusmn;3.7 \u003csup\u003eAb (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.01\u0026plusmn;1.11 \u003csup\u003eAa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e79.26\u0026plusmn;6.47 \u003csup\u003eAa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1400m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15.5\u0026plusmn;3.6 \u003csup\u003eBa (c)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11.57\u0026plusmn;1.46\u003csup\u003e Aa (c)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e69.74\u0026plusmn;6.54 \u003csup\u003eBa (b)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e20.1\u0026plusmn;3.4 \u003csup\u003eAb (c)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10.74\u0026plusmn;1.53\u003csup\u003e Aa (c)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e75.36\u0026plusmn;6.25 \u003csup\u003eAa (b)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e215m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e29.6\u0026plusmn;4.1 \u003csup\u003eBa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17.48\u0026plusmn;1.27\u003csup\u003e Aa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e73.60\u0026plusmn;6.13 \u003csup\u003eBa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e34.0\u0026plusmn;4.5 \u003csup\u003eAa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.33\u0026plusmn;1.63\u003csup\u003e Aa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e79.03\u0026plusmn;7.22 \u003csup\u003eAa (a)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1400m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e22.0\u0026plusmn;3.1 \u003csup\u003eBa (c)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12.20\u0026plusmn;1.38\u003csup\u003e Aa (c)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e71.21\u0026plusmn;6.31 \u003csup\u003eBa (b)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"57\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"104\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e26.6\u0026plusmn;3.5 \u003csup\u003eAa (c)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11.04\u0026plusmn;1.75\u003csup\u003e Aa (c)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"85\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e76.16\u0026plusmn;6.44 \u003csup\u003eAa (b)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3. \u003c/strong\u003eCorrelations of mass loss with moisture content and temperature of CWD by altitude, forest edge distance, and tree species. \u003cem\u003ens\u003c/em\u003e not significant, * \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e＜0.05, ** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e＜0.01, *** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e＜0.001.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" width=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTree species\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"132\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFixed effects\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"113\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e215m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"132\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1400m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePinus taiwanensis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"132\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMass loss \u0026times; Moisture content\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.644\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.689\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.705\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.731\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"132\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMass loss \u0026times; Temperature\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.035 \u003csup\u003ens\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.058\u003csup\u003e ns\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.093\u003csup\u003e ns\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.051\u003csup\u003e ns\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"132\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMass loss \u0026times; Moisture content\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.672\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.693\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.711\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.749\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"132\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMass loss \u0026times; Temperature\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.078\u003csup\u003e ns\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.051\u003csup\u003e ns\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.064\u003csup\u003e ns\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.076\u003csup\u003e ns\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 4.\u003c/strong\u003e Correlation between the composition of different phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) (ng g\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e dry mass) signatures of CWD and soil for each altitude, forest-edge distance, and tree-species combination. Total, total PLFA concentrations; B, bacterial PLFAs; F, fungal PLFAs; F/B, the fungal to bacterial ratio; G\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e, Gram-positive bacteria; G\u003csup\u003e-\u003c/sup\u003e, Gram-negative bacteria; G\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e/G\u003csup\u003e-\u003c/sup\u003e, ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria; AMF, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. \u003cem\u003ens\u003c/em\u003e not significant, * \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e＜0.05, ** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e＜0.01, *** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e＜0.001.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" width=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"113\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFixed effects\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAltitude\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEdge distance\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAMF\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFungi\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal Fungi\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eG\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eG\u003csup\u003e- \u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal B\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" width=\"113\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePinus taiwanensis \u003c/em\u003e\u0026times; Soil\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e215m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.643\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.611\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.678\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.822\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.662\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.704\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.771\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.801\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.778\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.791\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.767\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.683\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.778\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.804\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1400m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.654\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.647\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.674\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.789\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.771\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.782\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.801\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.812\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.785\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.799\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.801\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.788\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.784\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.797\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" width=\"113\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora \u003c/em\u003e\u0026times;Soil\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e215m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.634\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.645\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.635\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.811\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.642\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.661\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.788\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.803\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.777\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.781\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.781\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.650\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.789\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.804\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1400m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eedge\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.639\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.627\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.647\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.789\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.629\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.796\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.792\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"76\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60m\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.811\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.784\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"66\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.796\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.801\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.640\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.769\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"47\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.781\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 5.\u003c/strong\u003e Effects of tree species, altitude, and forest-edge distance on the selected phospholipid fatty acid (PLFAs) signatures of CWD tested with redundancy analysis (RDA).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"116\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplanatory variable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplained variance %\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"94\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContribution %\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePseudo-F\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"81\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP \u003c/em\u003e(\u003cem\u003e\u0026lt; \u003c/em\u003e0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"116\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTree species\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.1\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"94\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e9.5\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.8\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"81\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.036\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"116\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAltitude\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10.9\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"94\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e37.2\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18.8\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"81\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"116\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForest edge distance\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"123\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e17.4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"94\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e45.5\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"60\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e20.6\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"81\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Edge effects, Decomposition, CWD, Microbial community, Subtropical forests","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-526702/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-526702/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eForest fragmentation is increasing rapidly around the world, and edge effects caused by fragmented forests can influence ecosystem functions and ecological processes, including coarse woody debris (CWD) decomposition. Understanding the influencing mechanisms of edge effect on CWD decomposition is needed to assess the effects of forest fragmentation on C cycling and storage. We measured rates of mass loss of CWD of \u003cem\u003eCinnamomum camphora\u003c/em\u003e and\u003cem\u003e Pinus taiwanensis \u003c/em\u003eover two years at two distances (0-5m \u003cem\u003evs\u003c/em\u003e. 60m) from a forest edge at two altitudes (215 and 1400 m a.s.l.), in a subtropical forest. In addition, we determined the microbial community of each CWD and the soil beneath via phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). Mass loss of CWD 60 m from the forest edge was \u0026gt; 15 % greater than that at the edge (0-5m). Mass loss was positively correlated with the abundance of microbial community and moisture content of the decaying CWD. Distance from edge explained 17.4% of the total variation of the microbial abundance in CWD. The results indicated that the reduced abundance of microbial communities and moisture content at forest edges reduced rates of decomposition of CWD. Long-term experiments with more tree species and more forest types are needed to assess the edge effect's generality.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Forest Fragmentation Slows the Decomposition of Coarse Woody Debris in a Subtropical Forest","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2021-05-28 19:01:09","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-526702/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"e038d512-75a9-49be-9d37-7b0aa1ed0ae8","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 28th, 2021","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":4645186,"name":"Forestry"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2021-12-01T16:42:55+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-526702","link":"https://doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxab035","journal":{"identity":"forest-science","isVorOnly":true,"title":"Forest Science"},"publishedOn":"2021-09-17 16:42:55","publishedOnDateReadable":"September 17th, 2021"},"versionCreatedAt":"2021-05-28 19:01:09","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1093/forsci/fxab035","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxab035","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-526702","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-526702","identity":"rs-526702","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"cBFmMYwuxLRRLfASyISRj","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}