Assessment of Artificial Forest Restoration by Exploring the Microbial Community Structure and Function in a Reclaimed Coal Gob Pile in a Loess Hilly Area of Shanxi, China

In this study, soil obtained from a reclaimed coal gob pile was expected to be rapidly improved with the use of artificial vegetation restoration practices, such as forests, which increase taxonomic variety in microbial community and its functions. order successfully identify effect forest project on soil’s quality, field study conducted loess hilly area located Shanxi assess effects five commonly used artificially restored coniferous species (i.e., Platycladus orientalis: PO, Sabina chinensis: SC, Pinus sylvestris: PS, Picea asperata: PA tabuliformis: PT) physico-chemical properties, bacterial functional gene attributes. The results showed that significant differences were observed community’s diversity structure, well genes, among different tree species. PS presented lower pH bulk density levels higher alkaline protease (PRO), phosphatase (ALP) urease (URE) activities, comparison other genes noticeably both PA. addition, can directly affect keystone bacteria functions indirectly genus by affecting nutrient elements enzyme activity. Moreover, significantly these Finally, compared species, integrated fertility index (IFI) score. Therefore, might more suited using Shanxi’s mining region. present research contributes understanding how various populations similar zones and/or terrains.