Common garden experiment

The research was carried out within a unique common garden experiment with monoculture stands of six common European tree species; the broadleaves beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), lime (Tilia cordata L.), sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and the conifer Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Our results indicated differences in soil physico-chemical properties and C and N fluxes between various tree species. Our results revealed higher diversity of soil bacteria and fungi in soil planted by ash, maple and lime. We indicated higher bacterial growth in soils planted by ash, maple and lime while soils planted by beech, oak and spruce showed higher fungal growth. In addition, we found higher metabolic activity in soils planted with ash, maple lime and oak, while beech and spruce showed lower metabolic activity. We also found differences in abundance and density of soil fauna. For example we found higher relative abundance of phylum Annelida in soils planted with beech, oak and spruce while soil planted with ash, maple and lime showed higher relative abundance of phylum Arthropoda. Finally, we found link between litter chemistry, soil physico-chemical soil properties and relative abundance and biomass of soil biota. Results obtained from this research will contribute to bridge gaps in ecological theory in term of ecosystem functions and services.