Drought in spring increases microbial carbon loss through respiration in a Mediterranean pine forest

We investigated the effect of drought in spring (earlier onset of summer drought) on litter decomposition in a Mediterranean pine forest, in Greece. We exposed litterbags filled with decomposed or fresh pine litter in the forest floor from January to November and simulated drought from April to May (season with usually high activity in soil). The drought treatment resulted in a significant increase of microbial respiration and litter weight loss and a decrease of microbial C. Both litter types were similarly affected by drought, but differed in parameters related to decomposer community succession (Collembola and Acari abundances, organic C and N, microbial N). Our results indicate that drought during the highly biologically active season might have significant implications for soil Carbon sequestration/storage.