The effect of Crataegus and Berberis canopy types on bioindicators of soil quality in a semi-arid climate

Crataegus and Berberis shrublands are natively distributed in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. Despite the widespread distribution of these two species, the effect of pure and mixed canopy composition of these species on bioindicators of soil quality has received little attention. In the current research, the effect of pure [Crataegus (PC) and Berberis (PB)] and mixed [Crataegus and Berberis with almost equal canopy cover (50C:50B), Crataegusdominated stand (70C:30B) and Berberis-dominated stand (30C:70B)] canopy types on litter properties, soil fauna and flora communities in different depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) was studied in the Mazandaran province, Iran. A total of 75 litter and 225 soil samples were collected and analysed. The results of this research showed that soil micro-climate and fertility are the main drivers of the population, composition and diversity of soil biota under the studied canopy covers. Increased soil temperature commonly had adverse effects on the populations of soil biota in the study area. Accordingly, the 50C:50B canopy type with a more appropriate micro-climate (i.e., higher soil moisture and lower soil temperature) and fertile soils showed higher populations of soil organisms, especially in the topsoil (0-10 cm). It is expected that results can improve scientific approaches to better comprehend of soil functions mechanism in the different canopy covers and also help to optimize land cover structures and enhancing of ecosystem services in semi-arid regions.