Soil enzyme stoichiometry has been proposed to reflect microbial resource limitation. However, this view overlooks the profound variations in microbial community composition and soil abiotic properties that may also affect enzyme stoichiometry. In successional subalpine ecosystems after glacier retreat, we found that the stoichiometry of soil carbon-, nitrogen- and phosphorus-acquisition enzymes was strongly associated with the microbial community composition. Soil abiotic properties (pH and soil organic matter quality) may also affect enzyme stoichiometry directly, or indirectly through microbial community composition. In contrast, microbial resource status was weakly related to enzyme stoichiometry. Thus, precautions should be taken when using enzyme stoichiometry as an indicator of microbial resource limitation. The close relationship between microbial community composition and enzyme stoichiometry suggests that genetic potential is linked to the enzyme activity in subalpine soils.

已经提出土壤酶化学计量来反映微生物资源的限制。然而，这种观点忽略了微生物群落组成和土壤非生物特性的深刻变化，这些变化也可能影响酶的化学计量。在冰川退缩后的连续亚高山生态系统中，我们发现土壤碳、氮和磷获取酶的化学计量与微生物群落组成密切相关。土壤非生物特性（pH 值和土壤有机质质量）也可能直接或通过微生物群落组成间接影响酶的化学计量。相比之下，微生物资源状况与酶的化学计量关系较弱。因此，在使用酶化学计量作为微生物资源限制的指标时应采取预防措施。