Contrasting Soil Microbial Composition, Diversity, and Network Stability Under Different Land Use Intensities

Soil microbial communities are fundamental to ecosystem function and soil health, yet how differing land-use intensities shape these communities and their interaction networks remains unclear. We investigated soils from greenhouse cultivation (GH), arched shed systems (ASs), and open farmlands (FLs) to compare microbial composition, diversity, and network stability under contrasting management intensities. GH soils had the highest electrical conductivity, ca. ~3.9 times higher than FL soil and ~1.9 times higher than AS soil, alongside elevated soil organic matter, total N, and available nutrients. AS soil maintained intermediate nutrient levels. Bacterial α-diversity was higher in AS and GH soils than in FL soil, whereas fungal α-diversity was comparable among systems despite differences in community composition. Microbial co-occurrence network analysis revealed the most complex and robust network in ASs, followed by FLs, while GH soil had the simplest and least stable network. Structural equation modeling showed that soil chemical properties had the largest direct influence on network complexity and stability, followed by soil enzyme activities; microbial diversity and key taxa also contributed to network complexity and stability. Overall, the moderately managed AS was superior to GH and FLs in sustaining a diverse and resilient soil microbiome and network. These findings provided actionable knowledge for optimizing land management to maintain soil ecological function.