Temporal and spatial variability of soil chemical and biological variables in a Mediterranean shrubland

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of seasonality and of different plant species on soil microbial biomass and activity as well as on the availability of C, N, and P in a Mediterranean shrubland. We compared the temporal and the spatial variability of soil chemical and biological variab...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forest ecology and management 2004-12, Vol.202 (1), p.83-91
Main Authors: Monokrousos, N., Papatheodorou, E.M., Diamantopoulos, J.D., Stamou, G.P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Erica
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fungal biomass
Globularia alypum
Juniperus oxycedrus
Microbial biomass carbon
Plant species effect
Plant–soil relationships
Quercus coccifera
Synecology
Terrestrial ecosystems
Thymus capitata
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Summary:The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of seasonality and of different plant species on soil microbial biomass and activity as well as on the availability of C, N, and P in a Mediterranean shrubland. We compared the temporal and the spatial variability of soil chemical and biological variables recorded in the soil underneath the canopy of three evergreen sclerophyllous ( Quercus coccifera, Juniperus oxycedrus, and Erica sp.) and two seasonally dimorphic shrubs ( Globularia alypum and Thymus capitatus) and in the grass-covered area between them. Although the effects of sampling period and plant species were significant for all of the studied variables, seasonality dominates over heterogeneity induced by plant species. All variables displayed high values in February except for inorganic P, which was higher in June. Microbial biomass N, ergosterol, and NO 3 − exhibited the lowest values in June; N-mineralization rate and soil respiration in September; while C-mineralization rate was low at both times. Plant life form (shrubs or grasses; evergreen sclerophyllous or seasonal dimorphic shrubs) is a factor inducing differences in soil biochemical processes. Soil samples collected under the dimorphic species share common properties, whereas distinct soil environments were recorded under different evergreen species.
ISSN:0378-1127
1872-7042
DOI:10.1016/j.foreco.2004.07.039