Living Root-Mediated Soil Temperature Amplifies the Effects of Experimental Warming on Soil Microarthropod Communities in a

The living roots of woody plants in forests play a crucial role in sustaining the soil temperature equilibrium. However, there is limited research investigating the effects of soil temperature balance disruption, influenced by living roots, on soil microarthropods, especially in the context of global climate change. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a three-year in situ simulation experiment involving either experimental warming or root trenching treatments to mimic environmental changes and their impacts on soil microarthropod communities in a temperate forest ecosystem in Northeast China. Statistical analysis focused on assessing the abundance and family richness of Collembola and Acari. Warming increased soil temperature, while root trenching had contrasting effects. In the absence of root trenching, warming positively influenced Collembola but negatively affected Acari. Conversely, when combined with root trenching, warming had a diminished impact on both Collembola and Acari. Our findings demonstrate that the interactive effects of warming on soil microarthropod communities vary depending on the presence or absence of root trenching. Specifically, within the context of root trenching treatment compared to no-root trenching treatment, warming exhibited a comparatively attenuated influence on soil microarthropod communities. Overall, living roots play a pivotal role in mediating soil temperature conditions, which significantly impact soil microarthropod communities in the context of global climate change.