Response of soil microbial communities to changes in a forest ecosystem brought about by pine wilt disease

Japan has suffered a lot from forestry losses due to pine wilt disease caused by pinewood nematode infestations. Studies were conducted regarding its causative agent and the effects of natural vegetation succession after pine wilt disease, but its effects on microorganisms were not given equal attention. This study determined the effects of pine wilt disease on light conditions, soil microbial biomass, litter decomposition, microbial abundance and the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Results showed that in a forest currently affected by pine wilt disease, there was higher light penetration, greater microbial biomass carbon, and a faster rate of litter decomposition. Microbial abundance was shown to be reduced in pine wilt affected areas. There were close correlations between the biological and physicochemical properties of the soil, but the reason for the decrease in microbial abundance is not yet well understood, and thus requires further study.