Model parameters representing the functional operating range for potential denitrification rates in assembled soil communities under temperature and salt concentration gradients modeled using a Gaussian function and power equation, respectively.

Mean values of three field replicates of the soil communities are shown with standard deviations (±SD). Values followed by the same letter indicate treatments without significant differences (p†Gaussian function: Denitrification rate = Vmax * e–(T-Tm)2/(2*w2) where Vmax = maximum denitrification rate, T = tested temperature, Tm = optimum temperature and w = measure of the width of the curve.§Power equation: Denitrification rate = k/√(c) - a, where k = slope, c = % salt concentration and a = intercept. From the equation, the salt concentration when denitrification begins to be inhibited (SAI) and when the rate reaches zero (SA0) were calculated.