Comparison of soil microorganism abundance and diversity in stands of European aspen (Populus tremulaL.) and hybrid aspen (Populus tremuloidesMichx. ×P. tremulaL.)

The use of short rotation forest tree species is increasing worldwide. The hybrid aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx. × P. tremula L.) is one of the suitable tree species under the climatic conditions of the Baltic region. The cultivation of these trees on former agricultural soils differs from agricultural practices with reduced soil tillage and is characterized by increased demand of nutrients, which in long term can cause changes in the soil microbial populations. The aim of our investigation was to compare soil microbial populations in hybrid aspen and European aspen (P. tremula L.) stands in four sampling plots with aspen age ranging from 10 to 46 years. The abundance and diversity of so…