Response of Carbon Emissions and the Bacterial Community to Freeze–Thaw Cycles in a Permafrost-Affected Forest–Wetland Ecotone in Northeast China

Abstract

Climate warming can affect freeze–thaw cycle (FTCs) patterns in northern high-latitude regions and may affect permafrost carbon emissions. The response of carbon release and microbial communities to FTCs has not been well characterized. Here, we conducted laboratory incubation experiments to investigate the relationships among carbon emissions, bacterial community, and soil variables in a permafrost-affected forest–wetland ecotone in Northeast China. The emission rates of CO2 and CH4 increased during the FTCs. FTC amplitude, FTC frequency, and patch type had significant effects on carbon emissions. FTCs increased the contents of soil DOC, NH4+-N, and NO3−-N but reduced bacterial alpha diversity. CO2 emissions were mainly affected by bacterial alpha diversity and composition, and the inorganic nitrogen content was the important factor affecting CH4 emissions. Our findings indicated that FTCs could significantly regulate CO2 and CH4 emissions by reducing bacterial community diversity and increasing the concentration of available soil substrates. Our findings shed new light on the microorganism-substrate mechanisms regulating the response patterns of the soil carbon cycle to FTCs in permafrost regions.