Evaluation of biological and biochemical parameters in a soil under different forest species of the Argentinian Patagonia

Abstract

In forest systems, the decomposition of litterfall is the main route of entry of nutrients into the soil and is one of the key points of recycling organic matter and nutrients. The rate at which all plant debris decomposes depends on environmental factors and the material provided by different forest species. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of vegetation cover on biological and biochemical parameters in a soil beneath two native forest species of the Mountain range (Austrocedrus chilensis (Don) Flor. et Boutl.), radal (Lomatia hirsuta Diels.), an exotic European Oak (Quercus robur) and an area adjacent to the forest that has only shrub vegetation. The activity of the enzymes ß-glucosidase, phosphatase, protease and microorganism counts were studied. In the leaf litter of each forest species, the levels of N, P, lignin and cellulose were measured. The results showed that the biological activity was higher in the soil under the forest species than in the area adjacent to the forest. At the same time, the litterfall corresponding to the European oak, presented the lowest contents of recalcitrant substances such as lignin and cellulose and the highest contents of N and P, this would facilitate the activity of soil microorganisms facilitating the decomposition of plant material. It was concluded that from the microbiological point of view the implantation of the species Roble would propitiate a better quality of the forest soil.