Functional Diversity of Soil Microbial Communities in the Vicinity of Panicum urvilleanum and Neosparton aphyllumin a Semi-arid Environment at La Payunia Provincial Reserve, North Patagonia

Vegetation cover is an important factor in soil microbial community composition and activity. We compared the effects of dominant plantspecies cover in a semi-arid scrub environment in northern Patagonia. We compared indicators of a microbial community and activity under areas of Panicum urvilleanumand Neosparton aphyllumin La Payunia Provincial Reserve, Argentina. Soil parameters differed in their physicochemical components, playing an important role determining soil biotic compartments. Microbial community biomass and CO2 evolution react to changes in substrate availability determined by plant cover and soil pedological components. Our study showed that soil heterogeneity – plant cover – grazing activity interplay may be a main factor affecting soil microbial community function and is accountable to nutrient supply and soil stability. The high utilization of carboxylic acids, carbohydrates, and amino acids, and the difference in the ratio between them - are difficult to explain. The effect of plant cover, water-holding capacity, organic matter, pH, and soil properties on a soil microbial community could improve our understanding of the latter in low-production grazing areas. Better understanding of the patterns of soil characteristics and activity can facilitate environmental monitoring of the effects of wild guanaco (Lama guanicoe) populations, enhancing effective reserve management practices.