ArticleBMC plant biology2026
Species-specific effects of understory shrubs on soil chemistry and microbial communities in temperate Scots pine forests.
Article in BMC plant biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundUnderstory shrubs are key components of forest ecosystems that influence belowground processes by modifying soil properties and shaping microbial communities through litter input and root exudation, yet their role in regulating soil microbial diversity remains less understood than that of trees. This study investigated how understory shrubs affect soil chemistry and the diversity and composition of bacterial and fungal communities in temperate pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests across organic and mineral soil horizons. Soil samples were collected from pine stands with dominant shrubs-rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), and European hazelnut (Corylus avellana)-and analysed using chemical assays and next-generation sequencing. A total of 20 study plots were included in the experiment, with each stand variant represented by five independent plots.
resultsSoils under shrubs exhibited higher pH levels, greater nutrient availability, and significantly higher microbial diversity compared to pine monocultures. The presence of understory shrubs was associated with higher fungal and bacterial taxonomic richness compared to pure pine stands, with the strongest effect observed in stands with European hazelnut understory. The dominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota, while bacterial communities were mainly composed of Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteriota. Principal component analysis indicated that soil pH and concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium were key factors shaping microbial community composition. The most distinct and diverse microbial assemblages were observed in soils under European hazelnut.
conclusionThese findings demonstrate that shrubs enhance soil fertility and microbial diversity by improving nutrient cycling and microhabitat conditions. Integrating shrub species, particularly European hazelnut, into coniferous stands may strengthen belowground biodiversity and enhance the stability and long-term functioning of forest ecosystems.
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