Distribution of edaphic algae as related to land usage

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Abstract
Species representing fifty-two algal genera were identified from surface soils collected from twenty-five disturbed and twenty-six undisturbed sites in a 17 760-acre study area. Undisturbed soils had more diverse algal populations, but smaller standing crops, than disturbed soils, even though concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus were higher than in most disturbed soils. Disturbance of soil and changes in soil pH were primary factors which influenced algal distribution. Soil disturbance favoured development of more diverse blue-green algal flora, due to accompanying increases in soil pH. Decreased soil pH favoured dominance by green algae. Standing crops of algae decreased with soil depth at three undisturbed collection sites and algae were not present below a depth of 30 cm. Bioassays showed that phosphorus was the nutrient most limiting for algal growth in water leachates of soils.

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