Abstract
Microbiological and physical-chemical characteristics of subtropical forest, grassland and cropfield soils from the karst areas of Southwest China were investigated. The study revealed that the conversion of natural forest to other forms of land would lead to a reduction in soil organic C(26.2%–35.3%), total N(37.2%–55.8%), total P(32.9%–43.6%), microbial biomass C(35.4%–49.1%), N(37.2%–55.8%), and P(25.8%–41.9%). Comparative analysis of microbial activity in terms of basal soil respiration showed maximum activity in forest soil and minimum in cropfield soil. Analysis of microbial metabolic respiratory activity indicated a relatively greater respiratory loss of CO2-C per unit microbial biomass in cropfield and grassland than in forest soil. Considering the importance of microbial components in soil, it is concluded that land use in different ways will lead to the reduction of biological stability of soil.
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