Effects of Seasonal Changes on Microbial Biomass and Respiration of Forest Floor and Topsoil under Bornmullerian Fir Stand

Abstract

A significant parameter that links plants to soil is microbial biomass. Therefore, measurement of the biologically-active fractions of the soil organic matter, such as microbial biomass C, N and P, is a good way to quantify the quality of the soil. In this study, the seasonal dynamics of microbial biomass C, N and P and associated microbial properties were investigated in the forest’s floor (litter, fermentation and humus) and topsoil (0 – 5 cm) under a stand of Bornmullerian fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf.). According to One-Way ANOVA, the study showed that seasonal changes have a significant effect on the quantities of microbial biomass C, N and P and associated microbial properties in the forest’s floor and soil. For example, the greatest amounts of microbial biomass C, N and P in the forest’s floor and topsoil occurred during summer. Also, seasonal variations have significant effects on microbial biomass C, N and P in the forest’s floor and soil because they alter the climate and chemical characteristics of the soil. Annual releases of C, N and P through microbial biomass were higher in the forest’s floor than in soil. The results of this study indicated that variations in the microbial biomass and basal respiration during the different seasons are related to changes microbial activity.

 

 

Keywords: Basal respiration, biochemical properties, C_mic:C_org percentage, C_mic:P_mic ratio, metabolic quotient (qCO₂)

 

Keywords

• Basal respiration, biochemical properties, Cmic:Corg percentage, Cmic:Pmic ratio, metabolic quotient (qCO2)

EFFECTS OF SEASONAL CHANGES ON MICROBIAL BIOMASS AND RESPIRATION OF FOREST FLOOR AND TOPSOIL UNDER BORNMULLERIAN FIR STAND

Öz

Toprak ile bitki arasında bağlantı kuran en önemli parametre mikrobiyal biyokütledir. Bu nedenle, mikrobiyal biyokütle C, N ve P gibi toprak organik maddesinin biyolojik olarak aktif bölümlerinin ölçümü, toprak kalitesinin belirlenmesinde çok faydalı bir yoldur. Bu çalışmada, Uludağ Göknarı (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf.) meşceresi altındaki üst toprak (0 – 5 cm) ve ölü örtüdeki mikrobiyal biyokütle C, N ve P ile diğer bazı mikrobiyal özelliklerin mevsimsel değişimi araştırılmıştır. Basit varyans analizi (One-Way ANOVA) sonuçlarına göre, mevsimsel değişim üst toprak ve ölü örtüye ait mikrobiyal biyokütle C, N ve P ile diğer bazı mikrobiyal özellikler üzerinde önemli etkiye sahiptir. Bu çalışmaya göre, üst toprak ve ölü örtüde en yüksek mikrobiyal biyokütle C, N ve P içeriği yaz mevsiminde elde edilmiştir. Ayrıca, mevsimsel farklılık toprağın kimyasal özelliklerini ve iklimi değiştirmesinden dolayı mikrobiyal biyokütle C, N ve P içeriği üzerinde de önemli etkiye sahiptir. Mikrobiyal biyokütleden serbest kalan C, N ve P miktarının ölü örtüde topraktan daha fazla olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışmanın sonuçları farklı mevsimlerde mikrobiyal biyokütle ve bazal solunumdaki değişimlerin mikrobiyal faaliyetteki değişimlerden kaynaklandığını göstermektedir

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Bazal solunum, biyokimyasal özellikler, Cmic:Corg yüzdesi, Cmic:Pmic oranı, metabolik katsayı (qCO2)

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