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Driving factors affecting decomposition rates. The bar charts in (a–c) show the importance of each predictor based on RF analysis, where MSE is mean squared error for decomposition rates of all tree species combined (a), Pinus tabuliformis (b), and Robinia pseudoacacia (c). Panels (d–f) show partial correlations between decomposition and three types of predictor variables under drought conditions. VPA diagrams show the percentage contributions of moisture, traits, and microbes to decomposition for: all tree species combined (g), P. tabuliformis (h), and R. pseudoacacia (i). The outermost circle shows the factors (i.e. moisture, traits, and microbes) and their respective correlations with decomposition. The color intensity of the fan shapes represents the magnitude of the correlation coefficient, with darker shades indicating stronger correlations. A black outline highlights statistically significant correlations at P < 0.05. Variation in color between the zero-order correlations (labeled as “Zero”) and those with one factor controlled reflects the extent to which the correlation between decomposition and the given factor is influenced by the controlled variable. If the color remains consistent between the zero-order and the controlled conditions, the correlation is independent of the controlled factor. In contrast, any shift in color intensity—whether an increase or decrease—indicates a strengthening or weakening of the correlation due to the influence of the controlled variable. Actino, Actinobacteriota abundance; BAR, Basidiomycota:Ascomycota ratio; BR, bacterial richness; FR, fungal richness; M, microbes; MC, moisture content; Proteo, Proteobacteria abundance; T, traits. ns, P > 0.05, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. Note: moisture refers to the moisture content of plant residues.