Soils play an important role in the ecosystem of karstic landscapes both as a buffer zone and as a source of acidity to belowground water. Although the microbiota of karstic soils is known to have a great effect on karstification processes, the activity and composition of these communities are largely unknown. This study gives a comparative analysis of soil microbial profiles from different parts of a doline located at Aggtelek, Hungary. The aim was to reveal the relationships between the vegetation type and genetic fingerprints and substrate utilisation (multi-SIR) profiles of the soil microbiota. Soil samples were collected in early and late springs along a transect in a doline covered with different types of vegetation. Genetic fingerprints of bacterial communities were examined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) based on the 16S rRNA gene, along with multi-SIR profiles of the microbial communities measured by the MicroResp method using 15 different carbon sources. Genetic fingerprinting indicated that vegetation cover had a strong effect on the composition of soil bacterial communities. Procrustean analysis showed only a weak connection between DGGE and multi-SIR profiles, probably due to the high functional redundancy of the communities. Seasonality had a significant effect on substrate usage, which can be an important factor to consider in future studies.
Keywords: Bacteria; DGGE; Karst soil; MicroResp; Multi-SIR.