Coarse woody debris decomposition along an elevation gradient alleviates soil microbial P limitation but intensifies C limitation at Wuyishan National Park

Soil microorganisms play a vital role in biogeochemical cycles by transforming plant residues into soil organic matter through catabolic processes, thereby significantly influencing carbon (C) storage. Changes in microbial metabolic limitations serve as important indicators of shifts in resource availability and microbial survival strategies. Coarse woody debris (CWD) decomposition is a stable source of C and nutrients. This process significantly affects microbial metabolism and is influenced by factors like nutrient availability, vegetation, and climate. However, the effect of CWD decomposition on microbial metabolic limitations, particularly across diverse environmental gradients, remains poorly understood. Our study investigated the impact of different decay classes of CWD on soil microbial metabolic limitation along an elevational gradient in Wuyishan National Park. it examines changes in soil properties, microbial metabolic limitation and enzyme activities during CWD decomposition...., , # Coarse woody debris decomposition along an elevation gradient alleviates soil microbial P limitation but intensifies C limitation at Wuyishan National Park.

Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.h9w0vt4vn

**Description of the data and file structure**

Our experimental areas are situated within Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province, China (27°330′-27°54′N, 117°270′-117°51′E). The area hosts a well-preserved subtropical forest ecosystem at the same latitude. The area experiences a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 15.2 ℃ and a mean annual precipitation (MAP) of 2000 mm. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy Classification System, the soil is predominantly categorized as Ultisols and Inceptisols. The park features five distinct vegetation types distributed along an elevation gradient: evergreen broad-leaf forest (EBF, 650m), coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest (CBF, 1340m), coniferous forest (CF, 1980m), subalpine dwarf forest (DF, 2050m), and alpine...,