Effects of phylogenetic isolation aboveground (PIA) and belowground (PIB) on litter decomposition, soil biota and carbon isotope
Loss of mass, C and N . PIA increased C loss after 8 months, decreased C loss after 14 months and decreased mass loss after 14 months (Fig. 2). PIB decreased litter C loss after 8 months (Fig. 2). PIA and PIB did not affect mass loss or N loss after 8 months.
Abundances of decomposers . PIA decreased microbial biomass after 14 months (Fig. 2). PIB decreased microbial biomass and Collembola abundance after 8 and 14 months, and increased Acari abundance after 8 months (Fig. 2). PIA or PIB did not affect fungal abundance or diversity after 8 months (Supplementary Figure S1).
Carbon isotope . PIA decreased litter13C/12C after 8 months, while PIB decreased litter 13C/12C after 14 months of decomposition (Fig. 3).