Physico-chemical and microbiological evidence of exposure effects on Picea abies-Coarse woody debris at different stages of decay

Slope aspect determines the amount of solar irradiation, with implications on the functioning of forest ecosystems, and consequently on aboveground deadwood decomposition dynamics. Therefore, we set up a climosequence case study to evaluate the impact of slope exposure (north- vs. south-facing sites) on the physico-chemical and microbiological properties of Picea abies coarse woody debris (CWD) at different stages of natural decay (decay classes, DCls 1-5) in an Italian Alpine setting (Trentino; 1900 m above sea level). Variations in bacterial, fungal and archaeal abundances were assessed by real-time PCR in the extra- and intracellular DNA fractions (eDNA vs. iDNA) of the deadwood microbiome. Physico-chemical wood properties (macro- and micronutrients; lignin and cellulose content; 3D structure via X-ray microtomography) were also performed along with the determination of key enzymatic activities involved in the main nutrient cycles. Overall, higher microbial abundances were registered in Picea abies CWD samples at the cooler, acidic and moister north-facing site, which are favourable conditions especially for fungal wood decomposers. This thermal signal (N>S) was more evident for the advanced decay stages (DCls 4 and 5), being wood pH the most determinant factor for discriminating between N- and S-facing slopes. We also found that the impact of exposure was enzyme-specific and strongly dependent on the decay class, except for those enzymes involved in the P cycle. In addition, the eDNA/iDNA ratio provided a simple yet powerful index of microbial activity in terms of exposure, with lower values at the north-facing slope indicative of a higher microbial activity. This is in line with the more pronounced physical wood damage detected at this slope by the X-ray microtomography. On the other hand, a higher elemental nutrient content was observed with progressing decay, being the nutrients Fe, N and P responsible for differentiating the CWD samples according to their stage of decay.