*2.5. Data Analysis*

We examined how habitats impacted the concentrations of microbial PLFAs and the ratios of biomarkers by using repeated measures MANOVA with habitat type and decomposition time as factors. We used one-way ANOVA in the case of normal distribution of data and nonparametric test in the case of non-normal distribution of data to compare the differences of microbial PLFAs concentrations among habitats in the same decomposition period. Microbial community structure was characterized by performing principal components analysis (PCA) on the log10-transformed mole of various microbial groups PLFA biomarkers. Subsequently, we used linear regression to analyze the influence of habitat type on the first two principal component scores obtained after PCA of various microbial groups PLFA biomarkers. Meanwhile, we selected individual PLFA that simultaneously acted on litter decomposition during the whole decomposition period in three habitats. We selected individual PLFA that acts on three habitats in the same decomposition period to compare the number of individual PLFA acting on litter decomposition in different habitats and different decomposition periods. Then, we used one-way ANOVA in the case of normal distribution of data and nonparametric test in the case of non-normal distribution of data to compare the differences of individual PLFA concentrations in different decomposition periods of the same habitat and between different habitats in the same decomposition period. We used standard linear regressions to investigate correlations between the concentrations of microbial PLFAs and the ratios of biomarkers and leaf litter mass loss.
