[Effects of Different Altitudes on Soil Microbial PLFA and Enzyme Activity in Two Kinds of Forests]

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2015 Dec;36(12):4667-75.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

The soil microbial community is an important part in soil ecosystem, and it is sensitive to the ecological environment. Phospholipid-derived fatty acids ( PLFA ) analysis was used to examine variations in soil microbial community diversity and its influencing factors. The results showed that: there existed 48 PLFAs that were significant in the soil samples from six altitudes. The PLFAs of six altitudes with the highest contents were i16:0, 10Me17:0, 10Me18:0 TBSA. The citrus forest exhibited richer soil PLFAs distribution both in type and amount than those in masson pine. The microbial activity and functional diversity of masson pine were increased with increasing altitudes, and citrus forest gradually decreased, the PLFA content of different microbial groups in each altitude were significantly different. The richness index, Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou evenness index of masson pine in low elevation were holistically higher than those in high elevation. However, the highest richness index of citrus forest was in low altitude, the highest Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou evenness index were in high altitude. The PLFAs content of different microbial groups were closely correlated to the soil enzyme activities and environmental factors. The PLFAs of bacteria, actinomycetes, G⁻ (Gram- positive), G⁺ (Gram-negative) were positively correlated with Ure(urease) , Ive(invertase) , CAT( catalase activity) and forest type, the PLFAs of fungi was significantly correlated with Ure, Ive, CAT, the PLFAs of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, G⁻ , G⁺ were significantly negatively or less correlated with elevation. Ure, Ive, CAT, forest type and elevation are the pivotal factors controlling the soil microbial biomass and activities.

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacteria / enzymology
  • Altitude*
  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Biomass
  • Enzymes / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Forests*
  • Fungi / enzymology
  • Phospholipids / analysis
  • Pinus
  • Soil / chemistry*
  • Soil Microbiology*

Substances

  • Enzymes
  • Fatty Acids
  • Phospholipids
  • Soil