Soil microbial biomass increases along elevational gradients in the tropics and sub-tropics but not elsewhere

Abstract
Aim: Our aim is to use elevational gradients to quantify the relationship between temperature and ecosystem functioning. Ecosystem functions such as decomposition, nutrient cycling and carbon storage are linked with the amount of microbial biomass in the soil. Previous studies have shown variable relationships between elevation and soil microbial biomass (SMB). Understanding the biological mechanisms linking SMB with elevational gradients will shed light on the environmental impacts of global warming.
Location: Global.
Time period: 2002-2018.
Major taxa studied: Soil microbes.
Method: We performed a global meta-analysis of the relationships between SMB and elevation. Data were collected from 59 studies of 73 elevational transects from around the world.
Results: We found no consistent global relationship between SMB and elevation. SMB increased significantly with elevation in the tropics and sub-tropics, but not in other climate zones. However, we found consistent positiv...