This study examines the effect of the soil physicochemical properties and the vegetation diversity and composition on the soil microorganism community structure on the temperate forest stands along the altitudinal gradient. The studied stands were located at three altitudes (600, 900, and 1200 m a.s.l.) on five separate mountain slopes (treated as independent replicates) in the Western Carpathians Mountains (Poland). The soil physicochemical characteristics varied widely between the stands on these same altitude, and only the organic matter content, water-holding capacity and dissolved organic nitrogen differed significantly between the different altitudes, exhibited highest values in the stands at 1200 m a.s.l. The vascular plant species number, including trees, shrubs and understorey decreased with an increase in the altitude. Multivariate analysis (CCA, ANOSIM) indicated that the plant diversity and composition differed significantly between 600 m a.s.l. and 1200 m a.s.l. and was related to altitude, soil pH and fertility, defined as P and K content. Soil microbial biomass and community structure was measured using PLFA (phospholipid fatty acids) analysis. PLFA pattern did not differ between altitudes but was related to the number of plant species, soil pH and C:N ratio. Taking all stands altogether, we showed clear relationship between the plant diversity and composition and the PLFA pattern (Mantel test). Additionally, we indicated that the main factor affecting both the plant diversity and composition as well as microbial community structure was the soil pH.

本研究探讨了土壤理化性质，植被多样性和组成对沿海拔梯度的温带林地土壤微生物群落结构的影响。研究的林分位于西喀尔巴阡山脉（波兰）的五个单独的山坡上的三个海拔高度（600、900和1200 m asl）。同一海拔高度的林分土壤理化特性差异很大，不同海拔高度的有机物含量，持水量和溶解有机氮含量差异显着，在海拔1200 m的林分中表现最高。随着海拔的升高，包括树木，灌木和林下层的数量减少。多变量分析（CCA，ANOSIM）表明，植物多样性和组成在600 m asl和1200 m asl之间存在显着差异，并且与海拔，土壤pH和肥力有关，定义为P和K含量。使用PLFA（磷脂脂肪酸）分析测量土壤微生物的生物量和群落结构。不同海拔高度的PLFA模式没有差异，但与植物种类数量，土壤pH和C：N比有关。综上所述，我们展示了植物多样性和组成与PLFA模式之间的明确关系（Mantel试验）。此外，我们指出影响植物多样性和组成以及微生物群落结构的主要因素是土壤pH值。l。1200 m asl，与海拔，土壤pH和肥力有关，定义为P和K含量。使用PLFA（磷脂脂肪酸）分析测量土壤微生物的生物量和群落结构。不同海拔高度的PLFA模式没有差异，但与植物种类数量，土壤pH和C：N比有关。综上所述，我们展示了植物多样性和组成与PLFA模式之间的明确关系（Mantel试验）。此外，我们指出影响植物多样性和组成以及微生物群落结构的主要因素是土壤pH值。l。1200 m asl，与海拔，土壤pH和肥力有关，定义为P和K含量。使用PLFA（磷脂脂肪酸）分析测量土壤微生物的生物量和群落结构。不同海拔高度的PLFA模式没有差异，但与植物种类数量，土壤pH和C：N比有关。综上所述，我们展示了植物多样性和组成与PLFA模式之间的明确关系（Mantel试验）。此外，我们指出影响植物多样性和组成以及微生物群落结构的主要因素是土壤pH值。不同海拔高度的PLFA模式没有差异，但与植物种类数量，土壤pH和C：N比有关。综上所述，我们展示了植物多样性和组成与PLFA模式之间的明确关系（Mantel试验）。此外，我们指出影响植物多样性和组成以及微生物群落结构的主要因素是土壤pH值。不同海拔高度的PLFA模式没有差异，但与植物种类数量，土壤pH和C：N比有关。综上所述，我们展示了植物多样性和组成与PLFA模式之间的明确关系（Mantel试验）。此外，我们指出影响植物多样性和组成以及微生物群落结构的主要因素是土壤pH值。