Microbial response to long-term liming in a tropical savanna soil

The Brazilian Cerrado is a species-rich savanna growing on highly weathered, acidic, and dystrophic soils. Soil pH controls the availability of soil nutrients and consequently, is not only associated with plant functioning but also soil microbial ecology. To characterize microbial responses to increases in soil pH, we studied soil bacterial and archaeal communities under native Cerrado vegetation in an area subjected to experimental lime additions for eight consecutive years, followed by an 11-year interval and an additional lime application. The characterization of microbial communities responses to disturbances in their natural habitat is crucial to define appropriate baselines to terrestrial ecosystems preservation in Cerrado