The impact of mechanical comminution of sphagnum on the abundance, structure, and activity of microbial complexes

摘要

In a model experiment, the abundance of microorganisms was monitored for half a year in native and mechanically comminuted samples of live and dead sphagnum using the method of luminescent microscopy. The effect of the mechanical comminution was more pronounced for live sphagnum than for its waste. Mechanical comminution of live sphagnum stimulated a 2- to 4-fold increase in the total microbial biomass and a twofold increase in the emission of CO2 owing to the active development of fungi and bacteria. The abundance of microorganisms and the intensity of the CO2 flow increased with the degree of sphagnum comminution. As a result of the mechanical treatment of live sphagnum, its destruction occurred, which is indicated by the significant decrease in the C : N ratio.