Grazing intensity accelerates surface soil C and N cycling in Alpine pastures as revealed by soil genes and δ15N ratio

European grasslands are vital carbon (C) sinks, contributing to climate change mitigation. Grazing intensity significantly influences soil C and nitrogen (N) cycles through effects on soil conditions and microbial communities. While heavy grazing is linked to soil C loss and altered N processes, existing studies show conflicting outcomes. This study examines the impact of cattle grazing on soil C and N cycles in a historical alpine pasture in the eastern Italian Alps (1868 m a.s.l.). The following three grazing intensities were analyzed: heavy (8.19 LU ha−1), moderate (0.59 LU ha−1), and light (0.06 LU ha−1). Soil was sampled from two depth layers (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm) and analyzed for bulk density, C and N content, C/N ratio, exchangeable N, δ15N, and microbial genes targeting general abundance (16S), N fixation (nifH), nitrification (amoA), and denitrification (nirK, nosZ) using real-time PCR. The results revealed decreased C and N concentrations with increasing grazing intensity, exclusively in the 0–5 cm soil layer. Higher δ15N and enhanced nitrification and denitrification suggest a more open N cycle under heavy grazing. These findings highlight the potential of microbial gene markers and δ15N isotopic ratios to monitor N cycle dynamics in alpine pastures, informing sustainable grazing management