Forest ecosystem responses to artificially induced soil compaction. II. Selected soil microorganism populations

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Abstract
Soil microorganism populations were measured 1 year after 4 years of compaction treatments on 0.07-ha plots in a mixed oak – red maple forest on loamy sand. Four treatments were imposed on two plots each: (i) control; (ii) soil compaction; (iii) mulch before compaction; (iv) 3-year compaction followed by mulch. Three selective agar media were used to isolate soil fungi and bacteria. Nematodes and macroarthropods were also sampled. Total fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and arthropods had significantly higher populations on control plots, usually with mulch treatments intermediate and compaction (no mulch) plots lowest. Fusarium sp. were most numerous on unmulched, compacted plots and only rarely isolated from the controls. Microorganism population differences associated with treatment were still detectable 2 years after compaction occurred, but not 5 years after compaction.