Change in composition and diversity of fungi and bacteria depending on tree species
The aim of our research was to determine the influence on soil properties of the root systems of six species of trees forming forest stands in the temperate climatic zone. The research covered areas containing six species of trees: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), European larch (Larix deciduas Mill.), English oak (Quercus robur L.), English ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.). Woody vegetation plays an important role in forest ecosystems and can affect long-term productivity and sustainability by influencing biochemical processes in the soil environment, such as the microbial activity and diversity, carbon sequestration and nutrient turnover rates. Soil microorganisms are an important component of biodiversity, being involved in several ecological processes, with the species composition of the stand being the main factor affecting biodiversity. Tree species impact soil microbial communities through their litter, roots, mycorrhizal fungi and exudates. Bacteria and fungi living in the soil react differently to changes in the soil characteristics caused by alterations in the species composition of the stand. It was also found that soils under the influence of different stands were characterised by diverse compositions of fungi and bacteria, with differences in these compositions observed in relation to the coniferous species (pine, larch).