The Effect of Plant Diversity and Soil Properties on Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity in a Novel Ecosystem

Plant–microbial relations have not yet been fully disclosed in natural or seminatural ecosystems, nor novel ecosystems developing spontaneously on post-coal mine heaps. The aim of this study was to determine which factor, biotic (plant taxonomic diversity vs. plant functional diversity) abiotic (physicochemical substrate parameters), affects the biomass soil microbial communities most, as well situ respiration ecosystems. carried out unreclaimed plots selected according four different combinations and diversity. Additionally, a reclaimed heap served comparison between two management types. several groups analysed using phospholipid fatty acids profiles. We detected that more impacted by parameters (explaining 23% variance) than 12% variance). Particularly, we observed pH most important factor shaping community biomass, shown RDA analysis. highest found with low This finding can be explained fact these represented advanced phase vegetation development early stages succession.