Endophytic actinomycetes isolated from Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lec and screening of plant growth promoters production

A total of 10 endophytic actinomycete strains were successfully isolated from healthy shoots and roots of Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lec (eaglewood). Analysis of 16S rDNA sequencing of those isolates showed that they belong to members of the genera Streptomyces (2 isolates), Nonomuraea (1 isolate), Actinomadura (1 isolate), Pseudonocardia (1 isolate) and Nocardia (3 isolates). The remaining 2 isolates were unidentified. All of isolates produced the amount of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and ammonia ranging between 9.85 ± 0.31 to 15.14 ± 0.22 μg ml^?1 and 2 to 60 mg ml^?1, respectively. Among 10 isolates tested, the amount of hydroxamate-type siderophore produced by 2 isolates was undetectable. While the remaining 8 isolates produced the amount of hydroxamate-type ranging between 3.21 ± 0.12 and 39.30 ± 0.40 μg ml^?1. Also, catechols-type siderophore produced by 9 isolates was undetectable. Actinomadura glauciflava is only one isolate that produced catechols-type 4.12 ± 0.90 μg ml^?1. In addition, 10 endophytic actinomycetes showed protease activity ranging from undetectable to 8.16 ± 0.15 unit ml^?1. Genetic relatedness amongst these isolates was determined base on Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC PCR). Both methodologies generated specific patterns corresponding to particular genotypes. RAPD fingerprinting proved to be slightly more discriminatory than ERIC PCR. This study is the first published report that actinomycetes can be isolated as endophytes within this plant. It is also the first published report that endophytic actinomycetes are capable of producing IAA and siderophores.     

Genetic diversity and community of endophytic actinomycetes within the roots of Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lec assessed by Actinomycetes-specific PCR and PCR-DGGE of 16S rRNA gene

PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to determine diversity and community of endophytic actinomycetes distributed within the roots of Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lec (eaglewood). DNA was extracted from plant roots collected from one plantation in Nakhonnayok province and three plantations in Phetchabun province of Thailand. A nested-PCR was used to specifically amplify all actinobacterial groups. PCR-DGGE analysis of a variable region 3 (V3) of 16S rDNA confirmed the presence of endophytic actinomycetes in genera Nocardia, Pseudonocardia, Streptomyces and Actinomadura within the roots of eaglewood from Phetchabun province. Actinomycetes in genera Nocardia, Nonomuraea, Pseudonocardia and Actinomadura were found to inhabit abundantly in the roots of eaglewood from Nakhonnayok province. Actinobacterial community structures within the roots of this plant grown in two provinces were different from each other based on the generated dendrogram and Sorensen’s index. These results suggest that different locations resulted in different endophytic actinomycetes communities within the plant. Besides actinobacterial community structure, genetic diversity was analyzed based on species diversity and simple index. DGGE exhibited many species of actinomycetes inhabited as endophytes. The highest diversity of endophytic actinomycetes was found in the roots from a plantation in Nakhonnayok province and one of the plantations in Phetchabun province. This is the first report of the ecology and the community of endophytic actinomycetes colonized and imbedded within the roots of eaglewood plant.     

Functional diversity and community structure of microorganisms in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere Canadian arctic soils

Functional diversities of microorganisms in arctic soil samples at three incubation temperatures were assessed using sole-carbon-source-utilization (SCSU). Soil samples from four sites were collected from the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils. Microorganisms were extracted from samples and inoculated into ECO-Biolog plates and incubated at 4, 10 and 28 °C. Calculations of Shannon–Weaver diversity and Shannon–Weaver evenness were based on the substrate utilization in the Biolog plates. Shannon–Weaver diversities (H) in rhizosphere samples were significantly greater ( _H = 3.023 ± 0.197; P < 0.005) than in non-rhizosphere samples ( _H = 2.770 ± 0.154). Similarly, the evenness (E) of the inoculated microbial cells exhibited significant differences (P < 0.005) between the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil samples ( _E = 0.880 ± 0.057 for soils with rhizosphere; _E = 0.807 ± 0.044 for non-rhizosphere samples). Higher microbial diversity and evenness were observed in samples incubated at 4 °C than at 28 °C [least significant difference (lsd) = 0.29], and evenness indices were higher in rhizosphere samples than in non-rhizosphere soils incubated at all three temperatures (lsd = 0.02). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the multivariate data set differentiated the soil samples on the relatively gross scale of microbial communities isolated from rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils at all three temperatures.     

生物炭对农田土壤细菌群落多样性影响的PCR-DGGE分析

为评价生物炭对农田土壤细菌群落多样性的影响,对不同施肥方式农田土壤细菌总DNA进行提取和16S rDNA特异性扩增,运用变性梯度凝胶电泳DGGE的分子生物学技术,对施肥土壤细菌群落的多样性进行表征。DGGE电泳结果表明,不同处理均可得到20条以上的电泳条带,说明水稻土土壤细菌群落较丰富。从泳道条带数量及光密度值方面对细菌群落多样性指标比较发现,施加生物炭的土壤(T2、T3、T4)细菌丰富度最高,细菌种群较多,其次为秸秆还田处理土壤(T1),而空白对照处理土壤(CK1)细菌群落丰富度最低,各处理之间的细菌种群均匀度指数差异不显著;对细菌群落的条带信息与土壤理化性质进行相关性分析得到,细菌群落的结构变化与各土壤理化性质的相关性大小依次为速效钾总有机碳有效磷全氮pH。     

Microbial diversity of landslide soils assessed by RFLP and SSCP fingerprints

Landslides are a significant component of natural disasters in most countries around the world. Understanding these destructive phenomena through the analysis of possible correlations between microbial communities and the alteration of the soil responsible for landslides is important in order to reduce their negative consequences. To address this issue, bacterial and fungal communities in soils triggering landslides in Termini-Nerano and Massa Lubrense-Nerano (Naples, Italy) were analysed by genetic profiling techniques. Fingerprints were generated by single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The microbial community in both soil types was enriched in species which could contribute to the degradation process occurring during landslides, forming biofilms and leading to the transformation or the formation of minerals. Indeed, some of the identified bacteria were found to favour the transformation of clay minerals. These findings suggest a possible relationship between bacterial and fungal community-colonising soils and the occurrence of landslides.     

基于PCR-DGGE和高通量测序分析白云边酒窖泥细菌群落结构与多样性

【目的】探索白云边酒不同窖龄窖泥细菌群落结构及其多样性,分析窖泥细菌群落特征对兼香型白酒风格形成的影响。【方法】分别提取2年和23年窖泥样品总DNA,采用PCR-DGGE、基因克隆以及高通量测序技术,研究窖泥细菌的分布情况。【结果】白云边窖泥细菌归属于变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)4个菌门。2、23年窖泥共同的优势菌属(≥1.0%)包括棒状杆菌属(Corynebacterium)、香味菌属(Myroides)、鞘氨醇杆菌属(Sphingobacterium)、乳杆菌属(Lactobacillus)、梭菌属(Clostridium)、醋杆菌属(Acetobacter)、产碱杆菌属(Alcaligenes)、肠杆菌属(Enterobacter)和不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)。2年窖泥特有优势菌属为Dysgonomonas、Fluviicola、变形杆菌属(Proteus)和Wohlfahrtiimonas,而23年窖泥特有优势菌属为葡萄球菌属(Staphylococcus)、Hazenella、魏斯氏菌属(Weissella)、葡糖醋杆菌属(Gluconacetobacter)和摩根氏菌属(Morganella)。【结论】2年窖泥细菌群落多样性高于23年窖泥。比较了白云边两种窖龄窖泥主要细菌组成情况,为研究微生物对白云边酒浓酱兼香型独特风味形成的影响提供依据。     

Viruses in soils: morphological diversity and abundance in the rhizosphere

Soil viruses are potentially of great importance as they may influence the ecology and evolution of soil biological communities through both an ability to transfer genes from host to host and as a potential cause of microbial mortality. Despite this importance, the area of soil virology is understudied. Here, we report the isolation and preliminary characterisation of viruses from soils in the Dundee area of Scotland. Different virus morphotypes including tailed, polyhedral (spherical), rod shaped, filamentous and bacilliform particles were detected in the soil samples. An apparent predominance of small spherical and filamentous bacteriophages was observed, whereas tailed bacteriophages were significantly less abundant. In this report, we also present observations and characterisation of viruses from different soil functional domains surrounding wheat roots: rhizosheath, rhizosphere and bulk soil. In spite of the differences in abundance of bacterial communities in these domains, no significant variations in viral population structure in terms of morphology and abundance were found. Typically, there were approximately 1.1–1.2 × 10⁹ virions g⁻¹ dry weight, implicating remarkable differences in virus-to-bacteria ratios in domains close to roots, rhizosphere and rhizosheath (approximately 0.27) and in bulk soil (approximately 4.68).     

西双版纳奇楠沉香林昆虫群落结构与功能研究

奇楠沉香Aquilaria crassna Lecomte是西双版纳引种栽培的一种名贵药用植物。它与昆虫的相互关系对其生长和生物多样性保护具有重要意义。本文采用灯诱法研究沉香林的昆虫群落结构与功能,诱捕到的昆虫隶属13个营养生态位集团,涉及13目67科198属216种,其中98种取食植物叶片,31种刺吸植物汁液,30种捕食其他昆虫,15种取食植物花、芽、果,10种取食腐烂物,9种钻蛀植物茎干,9种为地下昆虫,9种寄生其他昆虫,5种取食苔藓,4种取食植物花蜜,3种取食粪,2种传授植物花粉,2种取食腐木;对奇楠沉香造成严重危害的是黄野螟Heortia vitessoides、毛角薄翅天牛Megopis marginalis,其次是宽带鹿花金龟Dicronocephalus adamsi、三带瘦花金龟Coilodera ornata。个体数量以鞘翅目最多,鳞翅目次之,革翅目最少;物种数以鳞翅目最多,鞘翅目次之,缨翅目最少。样地内各月份物种多样性指数与物种丰富度排序为5月下旬6月上旬6月中旬6月下旬7月上旬5月中旬7月中旬5月上旬。昆虫群落的组成与沉香林物候关系密切,在奇楠沉香开花结果的高峰期,昆虫群落呈现出多样性高而均匀度低的分布格局。在一定程度上,捕食与寄生昆虫控制了林内害虫;食粪与腐烂物、食腐木与苔藓昆虫分解了林内有机物,促进了生态系统的物质循环。     

Microbial community composition and functional diversity in the rhizosphere of maize

This study investigates the small-scale stratification of bacterial community composition and functional diversity in the rhizosphere of maize. Maize seedlings were grown in a microcosm with a horizontal mesh (53 M) creating a planar root mat and rhizosphere soil. An unplanted microcosm served as control. Thin slices of soil were cut at different distances from the mesh surface (0.2–5.0 mm) and analysed for bacterial community composition by PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) of 16S rDNA and tested for activities of different enzymes involved in C, N, P and S cycling. Bacterial community composition and microbial functional diversity were affected by the presence of the maize roots. The bacterial composition showed a clear gradient up to 2.2 mm from the root surface, while no such gradient was observed in the unplanted pot. Invertase and phosphatase activities were higher in the close vicinity of maize roots (0.2–0.8 mm), whereas xylanase activity was unaffected. This study shows that the changes in bacterial community composition and functional diversity induced by roots may extend several millimetres into the soil.     

Characterization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Communities of Aquilaria crassna and Tectona grandis Roots and Soils in Thailand Plantations

Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lec. and Tectona grandis Linn.f. are sources of resin-suffused agarwood and teak timber, respectively. This study investigated arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus community structure in roots and rhizosphere soils of A. crassna and T. grandis from plantations in Thailand to understand whether AM fungal communities present in roots and rhizosphere soils vary with host plant species and study sites. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism complemented with clone libraries revealed that AM fungal community composition in A. crassna and T. grandis were similar. A total of 38 distinct terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) were found, 31 of which were shared between A. crassna and T. grandis. AM fungal communities in T. grandis samples from different sites were similar, as were those in A. crassna. The estimated average minimum numbers of AM fungal taxa per sample in roots and soils of T. grandis were at least 1.89 vs. 2.55, respectively, and those of A. crassna were 2.85 vs. 2.33 respectively. The TRFs were attributed to Claroideoglomeraceae, Diversisporaceae, Gigasporaceae and Glomeraceae. The Glomeraceae were found to be common in all study sites. Specific AM taxa in roots and soils of T. grandis and A. crassna were not affected by host plant species and sample source (root vs. soil) but affected by collecting site. Future inoculum production and utilization efforts can be directed toward the identified symbiotic associates of these valuable tree species to enhance reforestation efforts.     

转基因甘蔗对根际土壤微生物多样性的影响

应用Biolog法研究了转几丁质酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶基因甘蔗对根际土壤微生物多样性的影响。结果表明:转基因甘蔗根际土壤微生物利用单一碳源能力(AWCD)要高于非转基因甘蔗的根际土壤微生物;转基因甘蔗和非转基因甘蔗根际上壤样品的Simpson指数(1/D)、Shannon-Wiener指数(H)、Mclntosh指数(U)均存在差异,其中转基因甘蔗根际土壤微生物的Simpson指数显著高于非转基因甘蔗土壤微生物,两种土壤微生物群落优势度的差别很大,其次是Mclntosh指数(U)指数,丰富度的差别不是很大。说明转基因甘蔗根系在生长期的分泌物刺激根际土壤微生物群落的生长,可能诱导了具有某些特定生理特征的微生物群落的发展,因此转基因甘蔗对根际土壤微生态有一定的影响。     

Improved PCR-DGGE for high resolution diversity screening of complex sulfate-reducing prokaryotic communities in soils and sediments

In this study we evaluated a high resolution PCR-DGGE strategy for the characterization of complex sulfate-reducing microbial communities inhabiting natural environments. dsrB fragments were amplified with a two-step nested PCR protocol using combinations of primers targeting the dissimilatory (bi)sulfite reductase genes. The PCR-DGGE conditions were initially optimized using a dsrAB clone library obtained from a vegetated intertidal riparian soil along the river Rhine (Rozenburg, the Netherlands). Partial dsrB were successfully amplified from the same environmental DNA extracts used to construct the library, DGGE-separated and directly sequenced. The two approaches were in good agreement: the phylogenetic distribution of clones and DGGE-separated dsrB was comparable, suggesting the presence of sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRP) belonging to the families 'Desulfobacteraceae,' 'Desulfobulbaceae' and 'Syntrophobacteraceae,' and to the Desulfomonile tiedjei- and Desulfobacterium anilini-groups. The nested PCR-DGGE was also used to analyze sediment samples (Appels, Belgium) from a series of microcosms subjected to a tidal flooding regime with water of different salinity, and proved to be a valid tool also to monitor the SRP community variation over time and space as a consequence of environmental changes.     

Effects of organochlorines on microbial diversity and community structure in Phragmites australis rhizosphere

This study investigated the impacts of an organochlorine (OC, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane and chlorobenzenes) mixture on microbial communities associated to Phragmites australis rhizosphere. Seventy-eight distinct colony morphotypes were isolated, cultivated and analysed by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Toxicity tests confirmed sensitivity (e.g. Hevizibacter, Acidovorax) or tolerance (e.g. Bacillus, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas) of isolates. Rhizosphere analysis by pyrosequencing showed the microbial adaptation induced by OC exposure. Among the most abundant molecular operational taxonomic units, 80 % appeared to be tolerant (55 % opportunist, 25 % unaffected) and 20 % sensitive. P. australis rhizosphere exposed to OCs was dominated by phylotypes related to α-, β- and γ-Proteobacteria. Specific genera were identified which were previously described as chlorinated organic pollutant degraders: Sphingomonas sp., Pseudomonas sp., Devosia sp. and Sphingobium sp. P. australis could be suitable plants to maintain their rhizosphere active microbial population which can tolerate OCs and potentially improve the OC remediation process in part by biodegradation.     

Fungal community composition and diversity in the rhizosphere soils of Argentina (syn. Potentilla) anserina,on the Qinghai Plateau

Fungal communities and diversity in the rhizosphere soil of Argentina (syn. Potentilla) anserina were investigated by high-throughput sequencing. Soil fungal communities changed seasonally; nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents in the soil were highly correlated with specific fungal groups and distributions. At the class level, the fungal community of A. anserina rhizosphere was mainly composed of Sordariomycetes, Pezizomycetes, Dothideomycetes, and Leotiomycetes. Moreover, rhizosphere soil was dominated by Ascomycota and characterized by a relatively high percentage of saprotrophic, parasitic, endophytic, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Mortierella (3.95 %), Fusarium (3.11 %), Cadophora (2.19 %), Phoma (2.01 %), Preussia (1.18 %) and Glomerales (0.37 %). FUNGuild analysis revealed different fungal ecotypes in rhizosphere soil, including symbiotic, saprotrophic, and pathogenic fungi. The structure and quantity of different ecotypes of fungi showed dynamic changes and may have different functions in the agro-ecosystem. These results provide a theoretical framework for further development and utilization of microbial resources to improve sustainable management strategies.     

异裂菊属根际微生物群落结构及功能多样性

异裂菊属是广西喀斯特石山区典型的特有属,根际微生物是其能否有效吸收、有效利用土壤养分和适应石山恶劣土壤环境的最直接表征之一。该研究采用DGGE和Biolog两种方法对异裂菊属植物根际和非根际微生物多样性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)异裂菊属5个种根际pH、碱解氮等9个养分含量都高于非根际。(2)5个种的根际、非根际存在2个共有细菌类群,但在数量上存在差异,3个种的根际条带小于非根际;5个种的根际、非根际微生物群落较为相似,较易聚在一起。(3)绢叶异裂菊根际微生物对碳源利用能力最强,凹脉异裂菊非根际最弱,其他对碳源的利用能力较接近;异裂菊属种根际微生物利用碳源的能力都高于非根际,根际微生物多样性指数均高于非根际,优势度指数与非根际基本相同或略高于非根际,丰富度和均匀度指数与优势度指数规律相似;异裂菊属根际、非根际微生物利用的碳源主要是糖类、羧酸类和氨基酸类化合物,4个种根际微生物利用碳源的能力高于非根际。(4)阳离子交换量、黏粒含量百分率和碱解氮是影响异裂菊属根际微生物碳源利用模式的最重要因子。总体来说,土壤理化性质对异裂菊属植物根际微生物群落多样性具有重要影响,异裂菊属通过分泌羧酸、糖等多类化合物提高了根际微生物的活性,进而有效地提高了根际肥力水平。     

Manure and mineral fertilization change enzyme activity and bacterial community in millet rhizosphere soils

Fertilization is a key agricultural practice for increasing millet yields and influencing soil properties, enzyme activities and rhizosphere bacterial communities. High throughput Illumina sequencing of the 16S rDNA was applied to compare the bacterial community structures and diversities among six different soil samples. The experiments involved the following: no fertilizer (CK), phosphate (P) and potassium (K) plus organic manure (M) (PKM), nitrogen (N) and K plus M (NKM), NPM, NPK and NPKM fertilization. The results showed that the NPKM fertilization of the millet field had a maximal yield of 3617 kg ha^?1 among the six different treatments. The abundances of the Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla, especially the Devosia, Mycobacterium, Opitutus and Chitinophaga genera, were higher in NPKM than those in the other samples. Redundancy analysis showed that the soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus (AP), and urease (UR) activity were significantly correlated with bacterial communities, while SOM and AP were strongly correlated with soil enzyme activities. Pearson’s correlation showed that the available nitrogen was strongly correlated with Devosia and Mycobacterium, and SOM was strongly correlated with Opitutus and Chitinophaga. Besides, catalase was significantly related to Iamia, the UR was significantly related to Devosia, phosphatase was significantly related to Luteimonas and Chitinophaga. Based on the soil quality and millet yield, NPKM treatment was a better choice for the millet field fertilization practices. These findings provide a better understanding of the importance of fertilization in influencing millet yield, soil fertility and microbial diversity, and they lead to a choice of scientific fertilization practices for sustainable development of the agroecosystem.     

外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病患者阴道菌群多样性研究

目的探讨外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病患者阴道菌群多样性的变化。方法采集育龄期女性健康受试者(control,CN,n=50)、细菌性阴道病患者(Bacterial vaginosis,BV,n=50)、外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病患者(Vulvovaginal candidiasis,VVC,n=48)、细菌性阴道病合并外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病患者(Bacterial vaginosis in combination of vulvovaginal candidiasis,BVC,n=32)的阴道拭子,提取细菌基因组DNA,而后应用25%~55%变性梯度的PCR-DGGE进行指纹图谱分析。结果阴道菌群指纹图谱结果显示,VVC组中阴道优势菌群与CN组基本一致,但与BV组和BVC组比较差异均有统计学意义。结论外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病阴道菌群多样性无明显变化。     

新疆绿洲农田不同连作年限棉花根际土壤微生物群落多样性

以南北疆不同连作年限棉花根际土壤为研究对象,采用Biolog技术,并结合传统平板培养法和土壤酶的测定,研究连作对棉花根际土壤微生物群落多样性的影响。Biolog分析结果表明,不同连作年限棉花根际土壤微生物碳源利用和功能多样性差异显著。荒地土壤微生物活性较低;在连作年限较短时(5—10a),根际土壤微生物群落的平均颜色变化率(AWCD)和Shannon指数较高;长期连作(15—20a),则呈明显下降趋势。主成分分析表明,不同连作年限的棉花根际土壤微生物碳源利用特征有明显不同。第一、二组开垦与未开垦土壤分别在PC1和PC2上出现差异,未开垦土壤得分均为负值,开垦土壤均为正值;而正茬与连作多年的棉花土壤在PC1上差异显著。其中在PC1上起分异作用的碳源主要是羧酸类和聚合物类,这两类碳源可能是影响连作棉花根际土壤微生物的主要碳源。可培养微生物数量的测定结果表明,荒地细菌数量最少;在连作年限较低时(5—10a左右),细菌数量呈上升趋势;而长期连作(>15a)后,细菌数量呈现下降趋势。真菌数量在连作多年后(10—15a)也开始增加。放线菌变化趋势不明显。四种土壤酶活性在连作的初中期(5—15a),连作障碍表现明显,土壤酶活性呈下降(过氧化氢酶和磷酸酶)或先升高后下降(脲酶和蔗糖酶)趋势,但随着连作年限的延长(15—20a),这4种土壤酶活性均表现出增高趋势。综上所述,棉花长期连作使棉花根际土壤微生物群落多样性降低,发生连作障碍,进而导致棉花产量降低。     

Functional diversity and community structure of micro-organisms in three arctic soils as determined by sole-carbon-source-utilization

Functional diversities of micro-organisms in arctic soils at three incubation temperatures were assessed using sole-carbon-source-utilization (SCSU). Soil samples were collected from an area of anthropogenic fertilization (mixed Dorset/Thule/Historic site), an area of animal enrichment (bird rock perches), and unaltered tundra (raised beach; control soil site). The micro-organisms were extracted from the soil samples and inoculated into Gram-negative (GN) Biolog plates incubated at 30°C, 10°C, and 4°C. Calculations of the Shannon index, substrate utilization richness, Shannon evenness, and the Jaccard coefficient of similarity were based upon substrate utilization on the Biolog plates. Principal component analysis distinguished microbial communities in enriched soils from unenriched soils. At 10°C and 4°C, Shannon indices of enriched soil microbial communities (10°C: soils influenced by wild animals=4.28, soils influenced by human activities=4.20; 4°C: soils influenced by wild animals=4.15, soils influenced by human activities=4.03) were significantly higher than unenriched soil microbial communities (10°C: 3.66; 4°C: 3.38). Substrate utilization richness and evenness displayed similar trends. Although Jaccard coefficients showed uniformity across the different soil samples, cluster analysis supported patterns demonstrated by PCA. Lower temperatures (4°C and 10°C) yielded greater resolution between soil microbial communities than 30°C based on Biolog colour development patterns.