Biological activity of ordinary Chernozem as related to slope aspect

The slope aspect turned out to be a factor reliably determining significant differences in the annual dynamics of the main taxonomic groups of microorganisms. The higher abundance of oligotrophic bacteria was recorded in soils on north-facing slopes and that of eutrophic bacteria, in soils of watersheds. Micromycetes and cellulose-decomposing microorganisms were more abundant in soils of south-facing slope, while actinomycetes, in soils of east-facing slopes. The reliable relationship between the humus content and the main microbiological and biochemical characteristics of ordinary-chernozem was found on the basis of processing the data by regression analysis.