In　contrast　with　extensive　knowledge　of　microbial　spatial　distribution　of　on　positive　slopes,　we　know　little　about　the　microorganisms　in　negative　slopes.　In　this　study,　we　used　positive　slope　(peak　clusters)　and　negative　slope　(tiankengs)　of　Haifeng　Nature　Reserve　in　Yunnan　Province,　China　were　used　as　model　systems　to　explore　the　spatial　distribution,　resource　limitation　patterns,　and　potential　influencing　mechanisms　of　soil　microorganisms.　Results　revealed　significant　differences　in　composition,　structure,　and　resource　limitations　of　soil　microbial　communities　across　slope　gradients.　Compared　with　positive　slopes,　negative　slopes　exhibited　higher　microbial　diversity,　with　microbial　survival　strategies　predominantly　characterized　by　r-strategies.　Fungal　networks　exhibited　higher　complexity　in　negative　slopes,　while　the　bacterial　networks　exhibited　higher　complexity　in　positive　slopes.　As　slope　position　increased,　microbial　carbon　(C)　and　phosphorus　(P)　limitations　exhibited　a　gradual　upward　trend,　and　negative　slope　exhibited　lower　microbial　C　and　P　limitations.　Heterogeneous　soil　nutrient　distribution　along　the　gradient　plays　a　dominant　role　in　shaping　microbial　distribution　and　resource　limitations.　This　study　broadens　our　understanding　of　the　distribution　and　resource　limitations　patterns　of　soil　microorganisms　in　positive　and　negative　karst　topography,　and　emphasizes　that　karst　tiankeng　may　be　a　unique　habitat　for　soil　microorganisms　to　survive　in　karst　areas.　©　2025