Long-term changes in land use influence phosphorus concentrations, speciation, and cycling within subtropical soils

•Land-use change from undisturbed to cropping decreased soil organic P fractions.•31P NMR showed cropping decreased both the orthophosphate monoesters and diesters.•Land use change had no pronounced impact on inorganic P species.•Land use change had a substantial impact on bacterial diversity and phosphatases.•Conversion of cropping back to pasture and plantation increased soil organic P.