Restore the degraded ecosystems by plant establishment is widely recognized as an effective way in arid and semiarid ecosystems, where belowground characteristics are influenced by the formation and persistence of “fertile islands” in contrast to barren plant interspaces. In the Upper Minjiang River arid valley, we investigated soil properties (soil physico-chemical and soil microbial properties) in the process of plant recovery by directly comparison between soils under patched vegetation and in the interplant spaces. We found “fertile islands” under plant soils and strong interactions between these two soil types in soil water, organic matter and nutrients dynamics. Soil quality was improved by plant recovery and the inter-plant soils might be strongly influenced by its adjacent vegetation patch. Soil microbial communities under plant soils were strongly influenced by soil carbon and nitrogen, while the barren soil microbial communities were primarily constraint by available nutrients. Soil microbial communities were more sensitive to plant recovery than soil physic-chemical properties. Thus, soil microbial communities are important in local restoration and “fertile island” may be beneficial and advance for the rehabilitation of plant in this semi-arid region.

Keywords: Arid vegetation; Fertile islands; Soil microbes; Patch; Restoration