Effects of land utilization patterns on soil microbial communities in an acid red soil based on DNA and PLFA analyses

Abstract

Purpose: Disturbances such as cultivation, logging, and plantation occurred widely in acid red soil area of China, yet little is known about their effects on soil microbial community which is closely related to soil function. In this study, microbial community compositions were investigated in a red soil with different long-term land utilization patterns to understand the potential effects of cultivation and vegetation successions on relevant soil functions. Materials and methods: Land utilization patterns include restoration, degradation (logging), cropland, and pine plantation. Both DNA- and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA)-based methods were used to measure the abundance and community struc..