title: The Community Structures of Prokaryotes and Fungi in Mountain Pasture Soils are Highly Correlated and Primarily Influenced by pH.
abstract: Traditionally, conservation and management of mountain pastures has been managed solely on the basis of visible biota. However, microorganisms play a vital role for the functioning of the soil ecosystem and, hence, pasture sustainability. Here, we studied the links between soil microbial (belowground) community structure (using amplicon sequencing of prokaryotes and fungi), other soil physicochemical and biological properties and, finally, a variety of pasture management practices. To this aim, during two consecutive years, we studied 104 environmental sites characterized by contrasting elevation, habitats, bedrock, and pasture management; located in or near Gorbeia Natural Park (Basque Country/Spain). Soil pH was found to be one of the most important factors in structuring soil microbial diversity. Interestingly, we observed a striking correlation between prokaryotic, fungal and macrofauna diversity, likely caused by interactions between these life forms. Further studies are needed to better understand such interactions and target the influence of different management practices on the soil microbial community, in face of the significant heterogeneity present. However, clearing of bushes altered microbial community structure, and in sites with calcareous bedrock also the use of herbicide vs. mechanical clearing of ferns.
authors.affiliation: Soil Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, NEIKER-Tecnalia Derio, Spain.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanzén
authors.affiliation: Soil Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, NEIKER-Tecnalia Derio, Spain.
authors.forename: Lur
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Epelde
authors.affiliation: Soil Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, NEIKER-Tecnalia Derio, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garbisu
authors.affiliation: Soil Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, NEIKER-Tecnalia Derio, Spain.
authors.forename: Mikel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anza
authors.affiliation: Soil Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, NEIKER-Tecnalia Derio, Spain.
authors.forename: Iker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martín-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Soil Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, NEIKER-Tecnalia Derio, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.affiliation: Soil Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, NEIKER-Tecnalia Derio, Spain.
authors.forename: Iker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mijangos
keywords: belowground interactions; biodiversity; grassland soil; microbial diversity; pasture management; soil microbial communities; soil properties