Ecological characterization of soil microflora in primary succession across glacier forefield: a case study of Glacier No. 1 at the Headwaters of Urumqi River
Abstract:In order to understand ecological characterization and effect factors of soil microflora in primary succession across glacier forefield ,using the space-for-time substitution approach, soil samples along six different succession ages (0, 4, 15, 31, 43-year-old and reference) were collected, beginning at the terminal moraine levee of Glacier No.1 at the headwaters of Urumqi River, a site with well-developed soils immediately outside the glacier forefield served as reference,soil enzyme activities, microbial nitrogen mineralization, deamination and microbial biomass were measured. The results suggested that soil urease, protease, acid phosphatase, arylsulphatase, sucrosease activity, microbial nitrogen mineralization and deamination increased along time gradients, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were variable, with no clear pattern over the chronosequence. Correlation analysis showed soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass had a significant positive correlation with soil organic matter(P<0.01). Soil microflora diversity index of Glacier NO.1 foreland increased along succession ages, but do not reach stability at present.