Effects of deforestation on microbial diversity in a Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) stand in Mongolia

Abstract

For evaluating microbial community changes in a Siberian larch stand disturbed by forest fire or clear-cutting, 357 clones were randomly selected and sequenced using a culture-independent approach and 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize the bacterial composition and diversity from the different disturbed Siberian larch stands. Interestingly, the burned larch stand had an increase in the relative amounts of β-proteobacteria and Firmicutes and a decrease in Acidobacteria, while Gemmatimonadetes increased Verrucomicrobia decreased in the harvested larch stand. Microbial diversity and richness were higher in the undisturbed larch stand than the disturbed (burned or clear-cut) larch stands, and the influence of clear-cutting was more negative than that of the forest fire. This study indicates that evaluating the microbial diversity of undisturbed, burned, and clear-cutting Siberian larch stands provides information about the impact of forest disturbances on soil microbial communities, which may be helpful for understanding and evaluating soil health and devising reafforestation strategies for larch.

Keywords

Forest fire / Forest health / Harvest / Microbial diversity / Reafforestation / Siberian Larch (Larix sibirica) / Soil microbiome

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