Using a tropical elevation gradient to evaluate the impact of land‐use intensity and forest restoration on the microbial use of organic matter under climate change

We investigated how legacies of land use and climate affected the microbial organic matter (OM) along a tropical gradient in Ethiopia. Four levels land-use intensity ranging from croplands to pristine forests were assessed cool moist high altitude (MAT = 16°C, MAP 2,200 mm) hot dry lowland sites 20°C, 1,050 mm). resolved biomass, structure, growth rates decomposer communities together with carbon (C) nitrogen (N) transformation. To target use, samples at optimal moisture standardized temperature laboratory. Microbial biomass fungal-to-bacterial ratio increased both drier climates higher intensities. In contrast, fungal humid climates, but unaffected by use. The C mineralization gross N decreased humidity more intensive suggesting change resource nutrient-poor nutrient-rich OM. Mineralization OM implied lower nutrient availability microbes arid low-intensity uses, while uses there. difference respiration between ecosystem aridity, that turnover soil fertility impacted climates. Together, our results suggest subtropical will exacerbate negative effects intensification on provisioning for plants.