Adaptation of microbial activities to the environmental conditions in alpine soils.

The adaptation of soil microorganisms to different environmental conditions was investigated in the Austrian Central Alps (Hohe. Tauern). The floristic composition of the soil fungi at different sites was determined and the CO2-release from soils taken from different altitudes was measured at different temperatures. The results showed a decreasing diversity of soil fungi with increasing altitude and a change in the dominating species at different altitudes and/or with vegetation patterns. The relative rates of CO2-release from soils from different altitudes did not differ at different incubation temperatures. It was concluded that, among soil fungi the selection of species is a more effective mechanism for the adaption to changed environmental conditions than metabolic adaptations.