Objective This study aims to analyze the differentiation characteristics of key soil element stoichiometry, microbial enzyme activities, and microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) under different management modes following slope-to-terrace conversion and elucidate the response mechanisms of CUE to management modes, thereby providing theoretical support for optimizing terrace management, enhancing carbon sequestration, and improving quality and efficiency in rocky mountainous areas. Methods Taking the slope-to-terrace conversion project in the rocky mountainous areas of Shandong as the research subject, this study systematically analyzed the effects and underlying mechanisms of terracing and three typical management modes (walnut, cherry, and peanut) on soil physicochemical properties, microbial enzyme activities, and CUE. Results Compared with the unmodified peanut control plot, the slope-to-terrace conversion project increased soil organic carbon by 9.43%~43.96% and total phosphorus by 22.64%~64.15%. The C∶P ratio and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen contents were all significantly increased. Among these, the walnut mode showed the most significant improvement in soil fertility and C∶N ratio. Different management modes primarily altered microbial metabolic strategies by regulating litter quality: the walnut mode resulted in an 85.5% increase in β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, a 12.68% increase in CUE, and a 19.21% increase in CUEC:P by alleviating microbial carbon and phosphorus limitation, significantly outperforming the peanut and cherry modes. Structural equation modeling showed that microbial biomass exerted a key positive driving effect on CUE, and the stoichiometric ratios of microbial biomass also showed a significant positive effect, while soil stoichiometric imbalance negatively affected CUE by suppressing metabolic efficiency. Conclusion The slope-to-terrace conversion project itself has no direct effect on CUE, and it must be combined with appropriate vegetation configuration to achieve synergistic enhancement of terrain modification and ecological functions.
微生物碳利用效率(Carbon Use Efficiency, CUE)作为衡量有机碳向生物量转化的核心指标,其提升可减少碳释放,增强土壤碳库稳定性[11]。不同利用方式通过改变土壤-植被-微生物系统特征显著影响CUE,如荒漠草原长期放牧导致养分计量失衡抑制CUE[12],不同混交模式与林龄下的马尾松林地可通过缓解微生物碳磷限制提升CUE[13],温湿度变化亦会引起CUE显著波动[14]。梯田建设与经营模式通过地形改造和水分管理改善水文循环,并经由多样化耕作方式及外源物质输入,显著影响微生物群落结构、多样性及功能,进而调控CUE,促进土壤碳汇积累与养分循环[15-16]。Qiu等[2]研究发现梯田建设可提升细菌和真菌多样性,促使微生物群落由贫营养型向与土壤性质密切相关的共营养型转变;Li等[16]研究发现在湖南梯田种植苹果而不是传统作物显著提高了微生物生物量和酶活性的可用性。北方旱作梯田及果园经营模式的研究进一步印证了该机制,耿其明等[17]对比太行山梯田发现,坡改梯后经营为果园的土壤碳库管理指数较耕地显著提高31.2%,且有机碳组分含量更高,表明果园模式更利于碳汇提升;张娇阳等[18]在黄土丘陵区的研究也表明,梯田土壤的碳库活度显著高于坡耕地,反映了其碳周转活性与固存潜力的协同增强。Shi等[19]通过黄土高原梯田研究发现未坡改梯的耕地、林地和草地土壤有机碳含量均为相应坡改梯的一半,且有植被覆盖的梯田有机碳储量较高。可见,土地利用类型、经营方式及植被特征共同驱动CUE动态变化,但相关驱动机制由于区域地理环境的差异、梯田经营模式的差异仍存在较大的不确定性。
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