Spatial and temporal variability of biological indicators of soil quality in two forest catchments in Belgium

[en] Biological indicators, measurements based on the presence and activity of soil organisms, are increasingly being considered in assessments of forest soil quality. In addition to chemical indicators, such as soil organic carbon and pH, biological indicators can provide an early diagnosis of changes in soil functions and processes in response to environmental change and forest management actions. We investigated the spatial and temporal variability of selected bio-indicators in the forest floor of two catchments over three years. We further evaluated the sensitivity of these indicators to changes in the dominant tree species following reforestation and natural regeneration. Indicators of microbial abundance and activity (microbial biomass, potential respiration) and carbon maintenance costs (metabolic quotient) were higher under young spruce and mixed deciduous stands than pure stands of oak and beech. Our results indicate a greater microbial activity in the autumn but a wider range of carbon substrate utilisation in the spring. Evaluation of seasonal differences in bio-indicator values is vital for the evaluation and planning of long-term studies and the development of reference values for forest soils in Belgium. Our results highlight the usefulness of these bio-indicators in identifying changes in soil functioning, particularly in response to management activities, at small spatial scales.

Disciplines :

Environmental sciences & ecology
Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...)

Author, co-author :

Ratcliffe, Sophia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Ecologie végétale et microbienne

Bosman, Bernard ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Ecologie végétale et microbienne

Carnol, Monique ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Ecologie végétale et microbienne

Language :

English

Title :

Spatial and temporal variability of biological indicators of soil quality in two forest catchments in Belgium

Publication date :

2018

Journal title :

Applied Soil Ecology

ISSN :

0929-1393

Publisher :

Elsevier, Netherlands

Volume :

126

Pages :

148-159

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

SPW DG03-DGARNE - Service Public de Wallonie. Direction Générale Opérationnelle Agriculture, Ressources naturelles et Environnement [BE]

Available on ORBi :

since 02 March 2018

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