ZLV Online

Abstrakt

Soil biodiversity reflects human impact on forest soils. It can be assumed that biodiversity will decrease with the increasing degree of soil disturbance compared to close-to-nature forests. This paper aims to compare the soil environment and soil microbial biodiversity in habitats with different degrees of disturbance within the Krkonoše National Park (KRNAP). A close-to-nature beech forest, a same-aged spruce monoculture and footpaths/roads were selected. Soil samples were taken from each area at 10 locations, based on the soil horizons present (mixture of organic horizons FH, organo-mineral A and mineral B). Basic soil characteristics were determined (organic C (Cox), active pH and base saturation). The composition of microbial communities and the reciprocal Simpson index were also determined for individual locations. Paths showed higher active pH and saturation of the sorption complex compared to forest habitats. No differences were found in the amount of Cox between habitats, apart from the FH horizon, where more Cox was determined in the near-natural stand. Prokaryotic and microeukaryotic communities are different in individual horizons and between habitats. Paths show a higher diversity of microbial populations in A horizons and B horizons showed higher numbers, even in prokaryotic microorganisms, compared to forest stands. Paths are an intrusion into the forest environment and are a significant element in the biodiversity of the forest environment of the KRNAP, most likely due to the differences in the soil environment, lower acidity and higher availability of nutrients compared to acidic and nutrient-poor forest areas.