Enzyme Diversity in Andosols of the Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract

The loss of biodiversity usually accompanies the degradation of the terrestrial ecosystems. Besides the loss of species, such a phenomenon affects the functional diversity of the ecosystem, that is, the diversity of the ecological processes taking place inside it, and the performance of the main soil functions. This work includes the results obtained at Andosols located at nine experimental plots in the National Parks of Garajonay and El Teide (Canary Islands, Spain). The measurement of the enzyme diversity by means of the Shannon seems to provide a good estimation of the variety of functions and ecological processes in which the soil microbiota is involved. Its temporal stability can allow obtaining a good approximation to its value from single measures, in contrast to the usual long monitoring time needed in the studies of the soil enzyme activities.