SEASONAL DYNAMICS IN THE MICROBIOLOGICAL STATUS OF FOREST SOILS FROM THE TERRITORY OF VITOSHA NATURE PARK

• Published in: International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM Vol. 2024; no. 3.1; pp. 285 - 292
• Main Authors: Grigorova-Pesheva, Bilyana, Malcheva, Boyka, Hristov, Biser
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Sofia Surveying Geology & Mining Ecology Management (SGEM) 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Actinomycetes; Autumn; Bacteria; Decomposing organic matter; Ecosystems; Forest ecosystems; Forest soils; Fungi; Humus; Indicators; Investigations; Microbial activity; Microorganisms; National parks; Nitrogen; Seasonal variations; Seasons; Soil; Soil analysis; Soil horizons; Soil investigations; Soil microorganisms; Soil profiles; Soil properties; Spore-forming bacteria; Spores; Spring; Spring (season); Summer; Terrestrial ecosystems; Total nitrogen; Vegetation; Winter
• ISSN: 1314-2704
• DOI: 10.5593/sgem2024/3.1/s13.35

The health, richness, and variety of microbial life in soil represent basic indicators for the evaluation and surveillance of forest ecosystem vitality. The vital role these microorganisms occupy in forest ecosystems underscores the necessity to in-depth assess and monitor their populations within soil habitats. Aiming to deepen our comprehension of microbial communities across different soils and soils horizons, we conducted an investigation of 22 soil profiles situated within the territory of Vitosha Nature Park. The investigation was carried out in one year period. We took samples from each of the studied soils during each of the seasons - spring, summer, autumn and winter. The following soil parameters were evaluated - pH, total nitrogen and humus for each soil horizon. From the microbiological indicators, the amounts of the main microbiological groups (non-spore-forming bacteria, bacilli, microscopic fungi and actinomycetes) were analyzed. Based on these data, the biogenicity of the soil was determined, as well as the percentage participation of individual groups compared to the total microbial number. Two clear peaks in the biogenicity of the studied soils were found - in spring and autumn. The dynamics of microorganisms in relation to change in altitude was reported. There is a correlation between the pH of the medium and the amount of microscopic fungi. Soils under broad-leaved vegetation stand out with higher biogenicity than soils under coniferous vegetation, in all seasons except winter.