The study investigates the relationship between plant diversity, soil microbial communities, and ecosystem function. Over seven years, the researchers manipulated plant species richness in experimental plots and measured the resulting changes in soil microbial communities and ecosystem processes. They found that higher plant diversity significantly increased microbial community biomass, respiration, and fungal abundance, as well as nitrogen (N) mineralization rates. However, these increases were largely attributed to higher plant production rather than plant diversity itself. Despite this, plant diversity still influenced N mineralization, which controls N cycling in N-limited soils. The positive relationship between plant diversity and productivity was likely due to increased N availability from more diverse plant communities, highlighting the importance of plant-microbe interactions in soil. The study suggests that plant diversity can directly affect ecosystem function through its impact on microbial communities and processes.The study investigates the relationship between plant diversity, soil microbial communities, and ecosystem function. Over seven years, the researchers manipulated plant species richness in experimental plots and measured the resulting changes in soil microbial communities and ecosystem processes. They found that higher plant diversity significantly increased microbial community biomass, respiration, and fungal abundance, as well as nitrogen (N) mineralization rates. However, these increases were largely attributed to higher plant production rather than plant diversity itself. Despite this, plant diversity still influenced N mineralization, which controls N cycling in N-limited soils. The positive relationship between plant diversity and productivity was likely due to increased N availability from more diverse plant communities, highlighting the importance of plant-microbe interactions in soil. The study suggests that plant diversity can directly affect ecosystem function through its impact on microbial communities and processes.