Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of droughts, with potential impacts on carbon (C) release from soil (i.e., soil respiration, Rs). Although numerous studies have investigated drought-induced changes in Rs, how roots and the soil microbial community regulate responses of Rs to drought remains unclear. We conducted a 4-year field experiment (2014 - 2017) with three treatments (i.e., 70% rainfall reduction, control and ambient) in a subtropical forest to examine effects of drought...