Dynamics and stratification of soil biota activity along an altitudinal climatic gradient in West Carpathians

We employed field methods to investigate the factors affecting soil biota activity in forest stands at four altitudes (600, 800, 1000, 1200 m a.s.l.) on three different mountains (as replicates) in the Beskidy Mts in Poland. Soil biota activity was estimated in two different soil organic layers (Olf and Ofh) representing two stages of litter decomposition. Nylon bags with cellulose filters and the bait-lamina method were used to study the likely effect of climatic parameters on soil microbial and fauna activity in natural field conditions. Also, the density of the enchytraeids (Oligochaeta), key mesofauna group in boreal forests, was measured. The results showed significant differences of soil biological activity by altitude, although the altitudinal gradient studied can be considered short (only 600 m altitudinal difference), with slight differences in climatic conditions. The activity of soil microorganisms (especially cellulytic bacteria and fungi) and the mesofauna density (enchytraeids) were found to depend on altitude for both the Olf and Ofh soil organic layers.