MICROBIAL COMMUNITY-LEVEL PHYSIOLOGICAL PROFILES BETWEEN TOKATLI AND SIRCALI CANYONS, TURKEY

Abstract

Soil microorganisms are important components of terrestrial ecosystems and play an important role in organic matter fragmentation and nutrient cycling. In our study, microbial diversity of different plant communities and differences in the use of carbon sources in Tokatli and Sircali Canyons were investigated. The canyons were investigated in three stages (tree, shrub and herb). Although there was no significant difference in developmental processes between different vegetation stages, differences between plant communities were significant (P< 0.05 and P< 0.01). In addition, the groups with the highest variation in carbon sources are Quercus infectoria OLIVIER-Carpinus betulus L. community in Tokatli Canyon, and Quercus pubescens WILLD-Pinus nigra J.F. ARNOLD community in Sircali Canyon. The soil carbon content has the most important effect on the diversity of the carbon sources used by microbial communities in both canyons. Carbon source use of microbial communities in soil is affected by dominant species that control environmental factors above the soil.