Nitrogen and phosphorus additions accelerate decomposition of slow carbon pool and lower total soil organic carbon pool in alpine meadows

Abstract Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions reduced soil organic carbon (SOC) contents and stocks in alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known about microbial mechanisms behind SOC decline. This study investigated the effects of long‐term N and P additions on microbial community composition and SOC decomposition (C mineralization ( C m ), mean resistant times for active C pool (MRT a ), and slow C pool (MRT s ) in alpine meadows. Results showed that the total SOC pool was reduced by 2–9% under N and P additions, of which slow C pool decreased by 3–10%, while active C pool increased by 4–75% compared to the Control. N and P additions shortened MRT s by 34–40% but prolonged MRT a by 30–62%. The relative abundance of four bacterial families was related to C m or MRT a , while that of most of the fungal families affected SOC decomposition (including C m , MRT a , and MRT s ). N and P additions increased fungal diversity, differentially affected microbial community composition and structure through modifying microbial preference, and increasing the abundance of microbes which are capable of decomposing complex carbohydrate. Soil pH, available N, and total P were main factors determining microbial abundances. Microbial changes due to N and P additions accelerated decomposition of recalcitrant SOC, thus led to declines in slow C pool and total SOC pool but increases in active C pool. Therefore, long‐term N and P additions weaken soil functioning as C pool in alpine meadows.