Long-term Field Studies Research Articles

Bats Species Diversity of Northern Tajikistan: 45 Years Later

The paper shows the results of long-term field studies of the species composition and number of bats in 8 abandoned mines in the Mogol-Tau mountains and the foothills of the northern slope of the Turkestan Mountain ranges in the territory of Northern Tajikistan. It reveals that the species diversity and number of bats have decreased both in “winter” stationary mine in the Mogol-Tau mountains and in “summer” stationary mine in the foothills of the Turkestan Mountain ranges. At the same time, the number of Myotis blythii Tomes 1857 has remarkably increased in summer. The paper suggests that these changes are not directly related to human activities, but have deeper causes and, possibly, are associated with global climate change.

Hydraulic modes of damless water intake

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of the damless water intake on the hydraulic and alluvial regime of the river, the channel of which passes through easily washed out soils. The analysis of the dynamics of the river bed morphometry and hydraulic elements of the flow in the area of the damless water intake is carried out. As a result of the analysis of the data of long-term field studies and hydrometric measurements at the closest section to the damless water intake and in the area of the damless water intake of the Amudarya River, functional relationships were established between the morphometric parameters of the channel and the hydraulic parameters of the flow. The dynamics of the Shezi coefficient, hydraulic resistance, and the channel roughness coefficient in connection with the hydrodynamic characteristic of the flow are established.

The effect of tree mortality on CO2 fluxes in an old-growth spruce forest

Long-term (2009–2019) field studies of the CO2 fluxes over the Valday upland in north-western European Russia were performed in an old-growth spruce-dominated forest subject to the combined effects of climate change, bark beetle attacks and windfall events. The annual carbon uptake within the study area decreased from − 300 g C m−2 yr−1 in 2010–2011 to − 95 g C m−2 yr−1 in 2018 as a result of progressive tree mortality. However, mortality did not cause a significant reduction in specific ecosystem respiration. The respiration of the damaged forest was formed by efflux from soil (64.8%), living vegetation (15.5%), hotspots under dry standing trees (12.1%) and decomposition of woody debris (7.6%). High correlations between net ecosystem exchange and dry standing spruce stocks and average soil CO2 efflux were found. The decrease in the carbon sink was followed by a decline in evapotranspiration from 0.0142 ± 0.0003 g H2O m−2 s−1 for May–October 2010 to 0.0116 ± 0.0002 g H2O m−2 s−1 in 2018. We assumed that the decrease in carbon uptake was due to both the reduction in primary tree production and the decrease in the area of the unaffected stands. Our estimates show that an increase in tree mortality up to 27% of a stand area could turn an old-growth spruce forest into a net source of CO2. This should be taken into account when considering human-induced and climate-related effects on boreal forests.

Blended municipal compost and biosolids materials for mine reclamation: Long-term field studies to explore metal mobility, soil fertility and microbial communities

Application of stable soil amendments is often the key to successful phytostabilization and rehabilitation of mine tailings, and microbial guilds are primary drivers of many geochemical processes promoted by these amendments. Field studies were set up at a tailings management area near Sudbury, Ontario to examine performance of blends of lime stabilized municipal biosolids and compost at nine different rates over thick (1 m) municipal compost covers planted with agricultural crops. Based on biogeochemical variability of the substrates four and ten years after application of the initial compost cover, the experimental plots could be classified into three categories: “Low” rate (0–100 t ha−1 biosolids), “Medium” rate (200–800 t ha−1), and “High” rate (1600–3200 t ha−1) treatments. The addition of biosolids materials to the thick compost cover at rates higher than 100 t ha−1 significantly reduced C:N ratio of the substrates, available phosphorus, and some of the nutrient cations, while notably increasing inorganic carbon and the potential solubility of Ni and Cu. This suggests that increasing biosolids application rates may not equivalently ameliorate soil quality and geochemical stability. Correspondingly, microbial communities were altered by biosolids additions, further intensifying the negative impacts of biosolids on long-term efficiency of the initial compost cover. Abundance of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignocellulose decomposers (as key drivers of mineralization and humification) was significantly reduced by “Medium” and “High” rate treatments. Most DNA sequences with high affinity to denitrifiers were detected in “High” rate treatments where geochemical conditions were optimal for higher microbial denitrification activities. These findings have implications for improving the long-term efficiency of reclamation and environmental management programs in mine tailings of northern temperate climates.

Serotonin and vasotocin function in territoriality

This ethopharmacological investigation comprised a long-term field study that examined the function of serotonergic and vasotonergic systems in territoriality. Adult territorial and non-territorial (silent) male coquí frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui) were injected (IP) with either arginine vasotocin (AVT) or one of two serotonin agonists, 5-HT2A/2C selective agonist, (±) DOI – [(±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane], or 2) the 5-HT1A selective agonist, 8-OH-DPAT – [(±)-2-dipropylamino-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene]. Control groups received saline injections. Each male received two injections. Following the first injection, whether AVT or a 5HT agonist, the male was observed so that behavior could be documented prior to the second injection, which consisted of the other drug class. All frogs were marked, placed back in the exact location as captured, and observed for all behaviors and vocalizations. Territoriality in E. coqui includes several behavioral components: movement into a calling site, presentation of dominant physical displays, emitting advertisement calls, and defense a territory (including the use of physical force and/or aggressive vocalizations). This investigation found that particular territorial behaviors were significantly influenced by 5HT and AVT action. Initiation of advertisement calling is activated by AVT and suppressed by 5HT, calling rate is affected by 5HT activation, presentation of dominant physical displays are activated by AVT and repressed by 5HT activation, and movement associated with activation of territorial behavior is stimulated by AVT. These data suggested that both 5HT and AVT have a profound impact on territoriality and are two fundamental neuroendocrine systems that govern territorial behavior in social systems.

Long-term capture and handling effects on body condition, reproduction and survival in a semi-aquatic mammal

In long-term individual-based field studies, several parameters need to be assessed repeatedly to fully understand the potential fitness effects on individuals. Often studies only evaluate capture stress that appears in the immediate weeks or breeding season and even long-term studies fail to evaluate the long-term effects of their capture procedures. We investigated effects of long-term repeated capture and handling of individuals in a large semi-aquatic rodent using more than 20 years of monitoring data from a beaver population in Norway. To investigate the effects, we corrected for ecological factors and analysed the importance of total capture and handling events, years of monitoring and deployment of telemetry devices on measures related to body condition, reproduction and survival of individual beavers. Body mass of dominant individuals decreased considerably with number of capture events (107 g per capture), but we found no statistically clear short or long-term effects of capture and handling on survival or other body condition indices. Annual litter size decreased with increasing number of captures among older individuals. Number of captures furthermore negatively affected reproduction in the beginning of the monitoring, but the effect decreased over the years, indicating habituation to repeated capture and handling. By assessing potential impacts on several fitness-related parameters at multiple times, we can secure the welfare of wild animal populations when planning and executing future conservation studies as well as ensure ecologically reliable research data.

Field testing of the QUB method for assessing the thermal performance of dwellings: In situ measurements of the heat transfer coefficient of a circa 1950s detached house in UK

In this paper the findings from a long-term field study of the thermal performance of a circa 1950s dwelling are presented and discussed. The study aimed at evaluating the robustness of the QUB method in the field under UK climatic conditions. A series of 147 QUB tests were performed during the whole heating period (September 2016 – March 2017) in a detached house located in the University Park campus, University of Nottingham considering two distinct conditions: as-built and with increased airtightness.The QUB method was able to provide consistent and robust estimates of the Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC) of the whole dwelling with approximately 80% of the results within ±10% from the mean and more than 95% of the results within ±15%. The need to treat heat losses occurring through the ground when assessing the thermal performance of buildings through experimental diagnostics methods was highlighted, especially in uninsulated concrete slab floors. The method devised to isolate the ground floor heat losses from the whole building losses resulted in reduced dispersion of the adjusted Heat Transfer Coefficient with a coefficient of variation of 5% and 98% of results within ±10% from the mean.

Yield and development of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) in field experiments with variable weather and drainage conditions

The benefits of drainage with respect to improving yield level and stability was recognized millennia ago, hence drainage is an old agronomical practice. However, agriculture is under constant change, and few long-term field studies exploring the need for drainage have been conducted in modern north European agricultural systems.The objective of this study is to describe yield variations in modern cereal crops as a function of the different dynamic drainage conditions that may appear in ordinary agricultural fields with old drainage systems, to this end seven years of field experiments were conducted at up to 3 field locations per year and with different N application levels. Drainage conditions were quantified annually in an index (SEW60) accumulating on a daily basis the depth of shallow groundwater (< 60 cm beneath the soil surface).Yield reductions up to 25 % was caused by poor drainage, despite that no visual plant symptoms were observed during the growing season. The yield variation across years, crops, and locations could be explained by SEW60. Yield effects of poor drainage were not significantly different for the investigated N-fertilization levels. This indicates that other factors than N are important for reduction of the yield potential induced by poor field drainage.The results clearly show the importance of good drainage as basis for agriculture in a region with excess precipitation, and they emphasize the need to focus on drainage conditions in a changing climate with increasing winter precipitation. Additionally, this can be a considerable factor in future water management trying to reconcile environmental and agricultural needs.

Nest site selection in a terrestrial breeding frog: interrelationships between nest moisture, pH and male advertisement

In resource defence mating systems where males control nest sites, complex interrelationships between nest characteristics and nest advertisement are likely to influence female mate choice. Surprisingly, however, we know little about the influence of such relationships on female mating decisions. In terrestrial-breeding oviparous species, one character likely to have a major influence on female nest site selection is nest moisture. In addition to influencing the susceptibility of eggs to desiccation, nest moisture also stands to influence nest pH and offspring fitness, as well as the hydration state of resident males, and their potential to advertise. Together, such interrelationships could strongly influence female mating decisions. The aim of this study was to use a long-term field study combined with a multivariate approach to investigate the combined influence of nest moisture, nest pH and male acoustic advertisement on female nest site selection in a wild population of red-backed toadlets, Pseudophryne coriacea. We found that females deposited more eggs in wetter and less acidic nests, and that these variables were positively correlated. Moreover, nest moisture and pH in combination were positively related to the calling potential of resident males, and nests that were advertised more often received more eggs. These results suggest that nest site selection in red-backed toadlets is influenced by a complex interplay between covarying nest characteristics that together influence male sexual signalling and nest advertisement. More broadly our findings highlight the potential for nesting behaviour to be mechanistically intertwined with mate choice.

Mosquito and bacterial diversity in Phytotelmata in northern Taiwan

Mosquitoes such as the disease-vectoring genus Aedes lay their eggs in containers of stagnant water. Some species prefer plant containers, or phytotelmata. We tested the hypothesis that bacteria inside these containers, which are known from experiments to affect mosquito oviposition choices, correlate with insect presence or absence in the field. We sampled natural containers from two localities in northern Taiwan: the Fushan Botanical Garden (Yilan County) and the Cherry Blossom Lane of Pingjing Street (Taipei City), the latter thrice over two years. In addition to identifying mosquito larvae, we performed culturing-enriched molecular profiling of the total bacterial communities in the container waters and the larva themselves. Phytotelmata mosquito diversity and microbial diversity were low (less than five species of either) and differed over time. In this study, the presence of mosquitoes, including medically significant genera, did not seem to correlate with bacterial communities or plant species. Both mosquito and microbe communities in these containers vary too greatly with time and on a microgeographic scale to identify specific microbe-insect interactions using metabarcoding. Research should focus on single-species experiments with cultured microbes, or long-term field studies covering all seasons.

The soil microbial carbon pump: From conceptual insights to empirical assessments.

The global soil carbon (C) pool is massive, so relatively small changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks can significantly alter atmospheric C and global climate. The recently proposed concept of the soil microbial carbon pump (MCP) emphasizes the active role of soil microbes in SOC storage by integrating the continual microbial transformation of organic C from labile to persistent anabolic forms. However, the concept has not been evaluated with data. Here, we combine datasets, including microbial necromass biomarker amino sugars and SOC, from two long-term agricultural field studies conducted by large United States bioenergy research programs. We interrogate the soil MCP concept by investigating the asynchronous responses of microbial necromass and SOC to land-use change. Microbial necromass appeared to preferentially accumulate in soil and be the dominant contributor to SOC accrual in diversified perennial bioenergy crops. Specifically, ~92% of the additional SOC enhanced by plant diversity was estimated to be microbial necromass C, and >76% of the additional SOC enhanced by land-use transition from annual to perennial crops was estimated to be microbial necromass. This suggests that the soil MCP was stimulated in diversified perennial agroecosystems. We further delineate and suggest two parameters-soil MCP capacity and efficacy-reflecting the conversion of plant C into microbial necromass and the contribution of microbial necromass to SOC, respectively, that should serve as valuable metrics for future studies evaluating SOC storage under alternative management in changing climates.

The Reproductive Ecology of the Bank Vole Myodes (Clethrionomys) glareolus Schreb. in North Periphery of Its Areal: I. Sex Cycles, Course, Dates, and Intensive Reproduction

A characterization of long-term station and field studies (1958–2017) on the tiaga in northwestern Russia is given for the population-ecology features of reproduction of the bank vole, including those associated with its habitat at the northern borders of its distribution: reproductive cycles and the timing, course, and intensity of reproduction. According to the dates, including from the results of histological examination of the gonads, under the conditions of the northern periphery of its range, the bank vole has a long breeding period from April to September with the very intensive participation of young fertile voles, especially early spring–summer births. The male reproductive cycle has a stage of passive spermatogenesis with a rapid increase in the epithelium and the appearance of spermatocytes of both orders. From April, active spermatogenesis occurs, during which the epithelium of germinal becomes layered and mature spermatozoa appear in the tubules and appendages of the testis. Ovulation in females, apparently, is spontaneous, as is evidenced by cases of the presence of a false corpus luteum in adult (overwintered) females, as well as in newcomers, the reproduction of which is interrupted by seasonal depression. The average duration of the sexual cycle is 5–6 days; the maximum is about two weeks. In this article a function of population autoregulation, which depends on the initial population density of the adaptive shift involved in the reproduction of age-related generations of animals, is revealed.

Impact of anaerobically digested silver and copper oxide nanoparticles in biosolids on soil characteristics and bacterial community

This study investigated whether 2 and 30 mg AgNPs or CuONPs/g TS present in treated sludge (biosolids) may impact the soil health by monitoring the soil characteristics and soil bacterial community for 105 days after the application of biosolids. AgNPs or CuONPs/g TS were first anaerobically digested with mixed primary and secondary sludge rather than adding pristine nanoparticles to biosolids directly. Both environmentally relevant (under the USEPA ceiling concentration limits) and high concentrations of AgNPs and CuONPs were tested. Soil tests included TOC, TN, TP, pH, cell viability and heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). Metagenomic data was generated by high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to explore bacterial populations and diversity. AgNPs and CuONPs at 2 and 30 mg NPs/g TS of sludge could impact soil health factors such as bacterial diversity, community structure, and the population of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The population of the highly abundant bacteria that have important physiological roles in soil decreased, while the less important bacteria for soil function were able to thrive. CuONPs exhibited a higher level of toxicity than the AgNPs at both phylum and genus taxonomic levels, and the HPC decreased with higher concentrations of AgNPs and CuONPs. Initially, most of the studied phyla abundance was affected, but the control and other reactors approached similar levels by the end of the experiments, which may be explained by the decrease in toxicity due to the transformation of nanoparticles and the defence mechanisms of bacteria, and indicates the need for long-term field studies.

Phytoextraction of cadmium-contaminated soil by Celosia argentea Linn.: A long-term field study

Phytoextraction using Celosia argentea Linn. can potentially decontaminate Cd-contaminated soils. However, most earlier studies have been conducted at laboratory scale and for a relatively short remediation period. To evaluate the phytoextraction efficiency of C. argentea combined with different soil amendments (ammonium chloride, Bacillus megaterium, and citric acid), an 18-month field experiment was carried out in a farmland soil contaminated with 3.68 mg kg−1 Cd by mine tailings in southern China. Soil Cd concentrations were decreased by 6.34 ± 0.73% after the three harvestings (with no amendments), which was 2.27 times that of the no-planting control (p < 0.05). Application of ammonium chloride, B. megaterium, and citric acid increased the overall Cd reduction rate in soil by 40.5%, 46.1%, and 105%, respectively. The application of citric acid decreased total Cd in soil by up to 16.9% in the rhizosphere soil and 13.0% in the bulk soil. The highest annual shoot biomass yield and Cd extraction amount reached 8.79 t ha−1 and 273 g ha−1. Acid-soluble Cd fraction in the rhizosphere was significantly lower compared to that in the bulk soil (p < 0.05), which indicates that mobile Cd in the rhizosphere was taken up by the roots vastly. C. argentea phytoextraction also improved soil metabolic functions by increasing the activities of soil enzymes (urease, invertase, phosphatase, and catalase). These findings demonstrate that Cd phytoextraction using C. argentea with the application of soil amendments can greatly improve the quality of Cd-contaminated soils.

Changes of soil-rhizosphere microbiota after organic amendment application in a Hordeum vulgare L. short-term greenhouse experiment

AimsIn order to counteract the enduring decreases in the quality of agricultural land, mechanistic studies for a more sustainable agricultural crop production were performed. They aimed to assess the effects of organic amendments in combination with mineral fertilizer on soil-rhizosphere microbiota and their influence on soil health and plant performance.MethodsIn a short-term greenhouse experiment, the effects of pelletized spent mushroom substrate, with different combinations of biochar and mineral fertilizer, on agricultural soil and performance of Hordeum vulgare L were scrutinized. To evaluate improved soil quality, different soil biological and chemical properties, microbial activity, bacterial diversity and plant performance were assessed.ResultsPlant performance increased across all fertilizer combinations. Bacterial β-diversity changed from the initial to the final sampling, pointing at a strong influence of plant development on the rhizosphere with increasing abundances of Acidobacteria and decreasing abundances of Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. Microbial activity (FDA), potential enzyme activity and metabolic diversity of the microbial community (BIOLOG) were not affected by the amendments, whereas bacterial community structure changed on family level, indicating functional redundancy. Treatments containing biochar and the highest amount of mineral fertilizer (B_MF140) caused the strongest changes, which were most pronounced for the families Xanthobacteraceae, Mycobacteriaceae, and Haliangiaceae.ConclusionApplying organic amendments improved plant performance and maintained soil health, contributing to more sustainable crop production. Nevertheless, long-term field studies are recommended to verify the findings of this short-term experiment.

Designing ApplTree: usable scheduling software for people with cognitive impairments

Background Smartphone reminding applications can help overcome memory difficulties experienced by people with acquired brain injury (ABI). Cognitive difficulties with memory and attention make entering reminders into a device, and remembering to set reminders, challenging for this group. ApplTree is a reminding app with features that aim to address challenges. One app feature was push notifications (asking “Do you need to set any reminders?”) to support people to initiate use of the app to set reminders. Another app feature was a customisable user interface design to support attention and short term memory during reminder setting. Methods In a mixed-methods user study, five people with self or other reported memory impairment following ABI used ApplTree for at least 4 months. They received push notifications for at least 2 months and no push notifications for at least 2 months. Monthly participant interviews provided insight into user interface preference, app use, and push notification acceptability. Results Receiving four Push notifications per day doubled number of daily reminders set and four of the five participants found receiving them to be acceptable. This long-term field study uncovered issues relevant for clinicians and designers, including insights into the potential benefits of different user interface designs, the impact of family members on app use, and the importance of perceived need influencing use and acceptance. Conclusions Feedback provided insight into future considerations when designing reminding apps and using them in neuropsychological rehabilitation. This work highlights the benefit of user-led research into accessible design and use of assistive technologies. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION “Unsolicited” push prompts are an easy to implement feature of reminding technology that is useful and acceptable for people with ABI in community rehabilitation. Observations provide insights about how people with ABI make use of reminding apps over time. This can inform those designing apps or providing reminding technology as part of neuropsychological rehabilitation. Participants differed on their preference of the two user-interface designs available in ApplTree. This highlights an area for future research because currently available reminding apps have a broad-shallow design which may not always be appropriate for people with ABI.

Kaspar in the wild: Experiences from deploying a small humanoid robot in a nursery school for children with autism

AbstractThis article describes a long-term study evaluating the use of the humanoid robot Kaspar in a specialist nursery for children with autism. The robot was used as a tool in the hands of teachers or volunteers, in the absence of the research team on-site. On average each child spent 16.53 months in the study. Staff and volunteers at the nursery were trained in using Kaspar and were using it in their day-to-day activities in the nursery. Our study combines an “in the wild” approach with a rigorous approach of collecting and including users’ feedback during an iterative evaluation and design cycle of the robot. This article focuses on the design of the study and the results from several interviews with the robot’s users. We also show results from the children’s developmental assessments by the teachers prior to and after the study. Results suggest a marked beneficial effect for the children from interacting with Kaspar. We highlight the challenges of transferring experimental technologies like Kaspar from a research setting into everyday practice in general and making it part of the day-to-day running of a nursery school in particular. Feedback from users led subsequently to many changes being made to Kaspar’s hardware and software. This type of invaluable feedback can only be gained in such long-term field studies.

Morphometric elements of the channel and hydraulic flow parameters in the zone of the river backwater

The article is devoted to the analysis of the dynamics of the morphometry of the river bed and the hydraulic parameters of the flow under conditions of flow regulation. For the analysis of the dynamics of the bed morphometry and hydraulic elements of the flow, the Nietbaitas hydro-array located in the zone of the sub-flow of the lower reaches of the Amudarya river in Uzbekistan was selected. As a result of the analysis of data from long-term field studies and hydrometric measurements at the Nietbaitas hydrostorm of the Amudarya river, functional relationships were established between the morphometric elements of the channel and the hydraulic parameters of the flow. The dynamics of the Chezy coefficient, hydraulic resistance, and the roughness coefficient of the channel in conjunction with the hydrodynamic characteristic of the flow are established. Adapted formulas are recommended for determining the calculated values of the Chezi coefficients, roughness, and average flow velocity, taking into account the decelerating effect of the banks of the Amudarya river bed

Research progress on the effects of biochar application on soil fauna community

Soil fauna is an indispensable component of soil biotic communities and an important biological driver controlling soil ecological processes. Exploring the effect of biochar on soil fauna community and their relationship, is of great significance to understand the ecological process and services of soil ecosystem. We reviewed the changes and possible mechanisms of soil fauna community to biochar application. The effect of biochar application on soil fauna was caused directly by the difference of raw material, carbonization temperature, and application amount, and indirectly by the changes of biotic factor, including changes of plant physiological characters and microbe biomass, and changes of abiotic parameters (e.g. soil physiochemical characters). The growth, reproduction and behavior of soil fauna could be promoted under low amount of biochar application (mass ratio <5%). In contrast, toxicity effect occurred with a heavy application (>10%). Meanwhile, activities of soil fauna would affect the stability of biochar, and its ecological and environmental role. A road map for future researches about biochar and soil fauna interaction must focus on long-term field studies, spatial and temporal variation, merge of multi-discipline, and comprehensive analysis and prediction.

Microbial Communities Associated With Long-Term Tillage and Fertility Treatments in a Corn-Soybean Cropping System.

Tillage and fertilization are common practices used to enhance soil fertility and increase yield. Changes in soil edaphic properties associated with different tillage and fertility regimes have been widely examined, yet, the microbially mediated pathways and ecological niches involved in enhancing soil fertility are poorly understood. The effects of long-term conventional tillage and no-till in parallel with three fertility treatments (No fertilization, N-only, and NPK) on soil microbial communities were investigated in a long-term field study that was established in the 1970’s. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing of bacterial, fungal and oomycetes markers, followed by community-level functional and ecological assembly to discern principles governing tillage and fertility practices’ influence on associated soil microbiomes. Both tillage and fertilizer significantly altered microbial community structure, but the tillage effect was more prominent than the fertilizer effect. Tillage significantly affected bacteria, fungi, fusaria, and oomycete beta-diversity, whereas fertilizer only affected bacteria and fungi beta-diversity. In our study different tillage and fertilizer regimes favored specific networks of metabolic pathways and distinct ecological guilds. No-till selected for beneficial microbes that translocate nutrients and resources and protect the host against pathogens. Notably, ecological guilds featuring arbuscular mycorrhizae, mycoparasites, and nematophagous fungi were favored in no-till soils, while fungal saprotrophs and plant pathogens dominated in tilled soils. Conventional till and fertilizer management shifted the communities toward fast growing competitors. Copiotrophic bacteria and fusarium species were favored under conventional tillage and in the presence of fertilizers. The analysis of the metagenomes revealed a higher abundance of predicted pathways associated with energy metabolism, translation, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, glycan biosynthesis and nucleotide metabolism in no-till. Furthermore, no specific pathways were found to be enriched under the investigated fertilization regimes. Understanding how tillage and fertilizer management shift microbial diversity, structure and ecological niches, such as presented here, can assist with designing farming systems that can maintain high crop yield, while reducing soil erosion and nutrient losses.