Conclusions
Our study highlights that invasion by L.vulgare shifts the
composition, relative abundance and diversity of soil microbial
communities in the invaded plots across multiple sites along the
altitudinal gradient. The results further suggest that the plant
invasion-induced shifts in soil microbiome and nutrient pools may be a
belowground self-reinforced invasion mechanism used by L.vulgarein new habitats along the altitudinal gradient to facilitate its
successful invasion and possibly suppress native biodiversity. The
triggering of such shifts may also represent hitherto least explored key
belowground functional traits for species invasiveness by promoting
positive feedbacks that support the microbial community dynamics.
Therefore, our study helps understanding the shifting patterns of soil
microbial communities and their drivers following plant invasion along
an altitudinal gradient. Our study also provides crucial insights in
elucidating the patterns and processes of plant invasion that operate
underground in the soil system along altitudinal gradient in mountain
landscapes in Kashmir Himalaya. These mountains are relatively
understudied areas in comparison to areas in the global north, but our
scientific findings and management implications are for mountainous
landscapes elsewhere in the world.