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Soil microbial community structure and activity in monospecific and mixed forest stands, under Mediterranean humid conditions

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Abstract

Aims

We investigated the link between tree community composition and soil microbial community biomass and structure in central-eastern Spain.

Methods

The effects of the forest stand composition on the soil organic matter dynamics and on the structure and activity of the soil microbial community have been determined using phospholipid fatty acid profiles and soil enzymatic activities.

Results

The soil and litter N and C contents were higher in Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii and Quercus ilex mixed forest stands (SBHO) and in long-term unmanaged Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii forest stands (SBPC) than in pure Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii forest stands (SBPA) and Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii and Juniperus thurifera mixed forest stands (SBSJ). The bacterial biomass was significantly higher in SBSJ and SBPA than in SBPC and SBHO. The results show an uncoupling of the soil microbial biomass and its activity. pH is related to microbial biomass and its community structure under a Mediterranean humid climate.

Conclusions

The tree species seem to affect the biomass of the soil microbial community and its structure. The pH, but not the C/N ratio, is a factor influencing the microbial dynamics, biomass, and community structure.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Prof. Dr. Carlos García and Teresa Hernández for their support and critical reading of the manuscript. The authors also thank Marta Isabel Picazo Cordoba and Consuelo Wic Baena for their work and help in soil analysis. F. Bastida thanks CSIC for his JAE-Doc contract. D. Candel was supported by the Department of Education and Science (Castilla La Mancha Government) and the European Social Fund during 2011 (FSE 2007–2013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, C.P. 02071, Albacete, Spain

    M. E. Lucas-Borja, D. Candel & M. Andrés

  2. Centro de Edafología y Biologia Aplicada del Segura, C.S.I.C., Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Apartado de correos 164, C.P. 30100, Murcia, Spain

    K. Jindo, J. L. Moreno & F. Bastida

Authors
  1. M. E. Lucas-Borja
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  2. D. Candel
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  3. K. Jindo
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  4. J. L. Moreno
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  5. M. Andrés
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  6. F. Bastida
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. E. Lucas-Borja.

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Responsible Editor: Timothy Richard Cavagnaro.

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Lucas-Borja, M.E., Candel, D., Jindo, K. et al. Soil microbial community structure and activity in monospecific and mixed forest stands, under Mediterranean humid conditions. Plant Soil 354, 359–370 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-1072-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-1072-8

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