Microbial functioning in Mediterranean forest soils: Does land use legacy matter?

Land use is known to be one of the major factors driving soil microbial and physico-chemical properties. Understanding its long-term effect remains a challenge in assessing current functioning. Here, properties recent very forests (forests developed 1958 vs. after 1958) were compared with those ancient (present 1860 assess Use Legacy (LUL). LUL effects further analysed depending on contrasting (i) climate conditions (sub-humid humid Mediterranean climates) (ii) seasons (winter summer), examine whether modified responses different spatio-temporal conditions. Microbial indicators (lignocellulolytic activities, basal respiration, biomass) (C N contents, mineralogical analyses, pH conductivity) assessed. A strong past agricultural practice (terrace cultivation) was observed soils from forests: reduced biomass activities as well number Quercus pubescens stems together increased phosphorous content pH. Interestingly, did not affect seasonal contrasts summer). response influenced by while some (CaCO3, Corg, K content). Moreover, recovered “pristine” functional at least 60 years reforestation.