Topographic positions within a natural forest can considerably influence litter traits, soil microbial characteristics, and nitrogen (N) mineralization, causing plant–soil feedbacks. Despite the high abundance of coarse litter (woody debris and coarse roots) in forest ecosystems, most studies have focused on linkages between fine litter (leaves and fine roots) and N dynamics and/or the soil microbial community. We investigated the association of fine and coarse litter with soil microbial biomass, community structure, and N mineralization at upper and lower slope positions on sedimentary rocks in a temperate forest dominated by Fagus crenata. Greater coarse litter abundance and litter C-to-N ratio, and lower soil microbial biomass, bacterial abundance, and N mineralization potential were found in upper positions than in lower positions. Among litter traits, coarse litter abundance and litter C-to-N ratio were the best predictors of the microbial biomass and fungal-to-bacterial dominance, possibly due to differences in climatic stress among plant communities. Microbial traits were the best predictors of N mineralization potential. Fine litter traits and coarse litter abundance are likely linked to soil microbial characteristics and N mineralization in natural forests with variable topography.

中文翻译：

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温带天然林中不同地形位置的细、粗凋落物特征与土壤微生物特征和氮矿化的联系

天然林内的地形位置会显着影响凋落物特征、土壤微生物特征和氮 (N) 矿化，从而导致植物-土壤反馈。尽管森林生态系统中粗凋落物（木质碎片和粗根）的丰度很高，但大多数研究都集中在细凋落物（叶子和细根）与氮动态和/或土壤微生物群落之间的联系上。我们研究了细粒和粗粒凋落物与土壤微生物生物量、群落结构和氮矿化之间的关联，这些关系在以山毛榉为主的温带森林中沉积岩的上下坡位置。较高位置的粗凋落物丰度和凋落物碳氮比较高，土壤微生物生物量、细菌丰度和氮矿化潜力低于较低位置。在凋落物性状中，粗凋落物丰度和凋落物碳氮比是微生物生物量和真菌对细菌优势的最佳预测因子，可能是由于植物群落之间气候胁迫的差异。微生物性状是氮矿化潜力的最佳预测因子。细凋落物特征和粗凋落物丰度可能与具有可变地形的天然林中的土壤微生物特征和氮矿化有关。