Changes in litter input exert divergent effects on the soil microbial community and function in stands of different densities.

Soil microbial communities influence soil biogeochemical cycling by affecting the production of extracellular enzymes and the release of carbon dioxide. Changes in litter input or stand density due to thinning can affect soil microbial communities and their function by altering soil biochemical properties. However, it is unclear how or to what extent different amounts of litter input affect soil microbial communities and their function in forest stands with different densities.