How are microorganisms and nutrient cycling in saline soils affected by soil matric potential?

旱地农业受到盐碱化和干旱的威胁，众所周知，两者单独存在时，不仅会降低作物生长，而且会降低对可持续性至关重要的微生物活动和养分循环。随着我们的气候变得更加干燥，有必要了解干旱和零星夏季降雨事件将如何影响盐渍土壤中的微生物活性和养分循环。作为一个由土壤生物学家组成的国际团队，我们将研究盐分和土壤水分对微生物活性和养分循环的相互作用。研究结果将为今后盐渍土养分循环和改良策略提供参考。

Dryland agriculture is threatened by salinity and drought, and it is well-known that individually, both can decrease not only crop growth but also microbial activity and nutrient cycling which are critical for sustainability. As our climate becomes drier, it is necessary to understand how microbial activity and nutrient cycling in saline soils will be affected by drought and sporadic summer rainfall events. As an international team of soil biologists, we will investigate the interactions between salinity and soil moisture on microbial activity and nutrient cycling. The results will provide insights into nutrient cycling in saline soils now and in the future and the benefit of amelioration strategies.