Tree species diversity influences soil carbon persistence by reconfiguring stabilization pathways

Abstract Increasing tree species diversity is known to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, but its effect on SOC stability remains a critical uncertainty for climate mitigation. Through examination of a subtropical karst forest diversity gradient in southwest China, we reveal a fundamental shift in SOC stabilization mechanisms using physical fractionation, 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and metagenomic sequencing. Higher tree species diversity increased total SOC content but