SOIL GLYCOSIDASE ACTIVITIES AND WATER SOLUBLE ORGANIC CARBON UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE TYPES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of different land uses on soil glycosidase activities (α- and β-glucosidase, α- and β-galactosidase), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and their relationships. Glycosidase activities showed significant differences under different land use types, the highest one was woodland. βglucosidase had the highest activity among the four glycosidases. The activities of these glycosidases decreased with increasing soil depth, being all significantly affected by change of soil depth. Except grassland, the four glycosidase activities intercorrelated each other. Woodland had the highest content of WSOC in the soil depth of 0-20 cm and at increasing soil depth, WSOC content decreased sharply under woodland and grassland. Glycosidase activities had positive and significant relationships with WSOC. Glycosidase activities and WSOC all had significant correlations with soil total organic carbon (TOC) and pH, which were sensitive to different land use types. We found that glycosidase activity indirectly impacts on nutrient recycling and energy flow in soil under different land use types.