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Overstory and understory vegetation interact to alter soil community composition and activity

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Abstract

Aim

To test if there is an interactive effect between tree and understory species on the soil microbial community (SMC), community level physiological profiles (CLPP) and soil micro-fauna.

Method

A replicate pot experiment with five sapling tree species (Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Sorbus aucuparia, Quercus petraea and Pinus sylvestris) and a no-tree treatment with and without Calluna vulgaris was established. After 21 months samples were taken for phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, CLPP and soil microfauna assessment.

Results

There was an interactive effect of tree species and Calluna on the SMC, CLPP and nematode densities. Calluna addition changed the SMC composition (increase in fungal PLFAs) and the CLPP (lower utilisation of most carbon sources but greater utilisation of phenolic acids). A multivariate test for homogeneity of dispersion showed that while Calluna addition resulted in the presence of an altered microbial composition, it did not result in there being less variability among the samples with Calluna than among the samples without Calluna. Sapling trees with Calluna present grew less well than trees without Calluna. Structural equation modelling showed that it is possible that Calluna had an indirect effect on the SMC via below-ground tree biomass as well as a direct effect.

Conclusion

Interactions between trees and understory vegetation can impact on the composition of soil biota and their activity.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate. We thank Julie Craig and Martin Sommerkorn for help in setting up this experiment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK

    Ruth Joy Mitchell, Jasmine Ross, Eileen Reid & Lorna A. Dawson

  2. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK

    Adian M. Keith

  3. Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK

    Jackie M. Potts

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  1. Ruth Joy Mitchell
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Correspondence to Ruth Joy Mitchell.

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Responsible Editor: Jeff R. Powell.

Electronic supplementary materials

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Supplementary Table A

Classification of the PLFAs as fungal, bacterial, or unclassified *. The list is limited to PLFAs extractable by the modified Bligh and Dyer method. (DOCX 12 kb)

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Mitchell, R.J., Keith, A.M., Potts, J.M. et al. Overstory and understory vegetation interact to alter soil community composition and activity. Plant Soil 352, 65–84 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-0980-y

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