Overstory and understory vegetation interact to alter soil community composition and activity

• Published in: Plant and soil Vol. 352; no. 1-2; pp. 65 - 84
• Main Authors: Mitchell, Ruth Joy, Keith, Adian M., Potts, Jackie M., Ross, Jasmine, Reid, Eileen, Dawson, Lorna A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.03.2012; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acid soils; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Betula pendula; Betula pubescens; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biota; Botanical research; Calluna; Calluna vulgaris; carbon; Carbon sources; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Community composition; community structure; Ecology; fatty acids; Forest soils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Geochemistry; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Nematoda; Nematodes; overstory; phenolic acids; Phenols; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Pine trees; Pinus sylvestris; Plant growth; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plant species; Plant-soil relationships; Plants; Quercus petraea; Regular Article; saplings; soil; Soil biochemistry; Soil composition; Soil ecology; soil fauna; Soil microorganisms; Soil nematodes; Soil research; Soil science; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil sciences; Soil water; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soils; Sorbus aucuparia; Trees; Understory; Vegetation; Vegetation dynamics; Zoology (interactions between soil fauna and agricultural or forest soils); United Kingdom; Enchytraeids; PLFA; Structural equation modelling; Carbon utilisation; Nematode; Plant-soil interaction; Community level physiological profile; Foundation species; Microbial activity; Phospholipid; Overstorey; Modeling; Oligochaeta; Understory; Vegetation structure; Species; Nematoda; Microbial community; Organic compounds; Non metal; Meiofauna; Community structure; Aliphatic compound; Fauna; Equation; Group IVA element; Complex lipid; Fatty acids; Carbon; Biological activity; Annelida; Soils; Enchytraeidae; Vegetation; Helmintha; Nemathelminthia; Models; Invertebrata; Soil plant relation
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-011-0980-y

Aim To test if there is an interactive effect between tree and understory species on the soil microbial community (SMC), community level physiological profiles (CLPP) and soil micro-fauna. Method A replicate pot experiment with five sapling tree species (Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Sorbus aucuparia, Quercus petraea and Pinus sylvestris) and a no-tree treatment with and without Calluna vulgaris was established. After 21 months samples were taken for phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, CLPP and soil microfauna assessment. Results There was an interactive effects of tree species and Calluna on the SMC, CLPP and nematode densities. Calluna addition changed the SMC composition (increase in fungal PLFAs) and the CLPP (lower utilisation of most carbon sources but greater utilisation of phenolic acids). A multivariate test for homogeneity of dispersion showed that while Calluna addition resulted in the presence of an altered microbial composition, it did not result in there being less variability among the samples with Calluna than among the samples without Calluna. Sapling trees with Calluna present grew less well than trees without Calluna. Structural equation modelling showed that it is possible that Calluna had an indirect effect on the SMC via below-ground tree biomass as well as a direct effect. Conclusion Interactions between trees and understory vegetation can impact on the composition of soil biota and their activity.