Influence of seasons and land-use practices on soil microbial activity and metabolic diversity in the “Montado ecosystem”

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe "Montado ecosystem" is important both economically and ecologically; this ecosystem is dominated by cork and holm oak trees (Quercus suber L. and Quercus rotundifolia Lam. respectively) combined with a rotation of crops/fallow/pastures. Diverse management strategies, deviating from the sustainable use of the ecosystem, have been implemented, from which arise some extreme situations of over-use or abandonment. To evaluate the effects of different soil use and management, namely extensive cropping, intensive pasture and abandonment, in the activity of soil microorganisms, dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, b-glucosidase and urease activities, N-mineralization and nitrification rates were measured in different land-use practices, in different seasons (winter, spring and autumn). Also, the potential metabolic diversity was evaluated by analysis of community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs). Seasonal effects were evident with maximum activity occurring in rainy seasons (winter and autumn) and lower substrate utilization in winter. Significant correlations between most microbial parameters and soil water content reflect this seasonal effect. Although showing mainly a seasonal change, microbial parameters were able to distinguish the abandoned area, with a general low activity and differential exponential rates in the use of several substrates, such as amino acids, miscellaneous and polymers, probably associated with changes in organic matter quality.

Soil metabolic profile as influenced by seasonal and topographical variations in tropical dry deciduous forest: A biolog based approach

“…It seems that seasons drive the pattern of metabolic profile via influencing the moisture content of the soil. Our finding corroborates with reports of Costa et al [18] which indicated highest microbial activity in rainy season in cork and holm oak trees dominated Montado ecosystem. Li et al [19] have also showed higher microbial activity in rainy season and reasoned that the induced microbial growth due to increased soil moisture and temperature were the causal factors.…”

Long‐term effects of vegetational restoration on soil microbial communities on the Loess Plateau of China

“…Various studies have used CLPPs to differentiate microbial communities in diverse land uses (Bossio et al ; Sun et al 2011 a ; Costa et al ). AWCD reflects the ability of a soil microbial community to use individual C sources and is an important indicator of microbial activity (Zabinski & Gannon ).…”

Soil aggregate mediates the impacts of land uses on organic carbon, total nitrogen, and microbial activity in a Karst ecosystem

“…Moreover, land use changes can reduce soil C and N sequestration, resulting in the acceleration of greenhouse gas (CO 2 and N 2 O) emissions 7 8 9 . Land-use changes also contribute to changes in microbial activities and biological processes that affect soil quality 10 11 .…”