Abstract

Pristine temperate forests in southern Chile receive low inputs of nitrogen (N) via atmospheric deposition, so tree growth and microbiological activity depend primarily on the internal recycling of nutrients present in the soil organic matter (SOM). Differences are expected in the biological activity of the soil between a secondary forest of Nothofagus obliqua of the Intermediate Depression in Chile, influenced by the activity agricultural-livestock production and microclimatic favorable conditions for the decomposition of the SOM, when comparing it with a pristine forest of Nothofagus betuloides of the Andes Mountain, with microclimate extreme. This study contrasts carbon mineralization (min-C) rates, nitrogen mineralization (min-N) rate and soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenases and acid phosphatase) and the correlation between soil temperatures in both temperate forests. Measurements were carried out every two months during a seasonal cycle. MANOVA showed that levels of min-C, min-N, and enzymatic activities differed significantly between forests (Wilk's Lambda, F 4; 55 = 20.2, p = 0.000) values for the N. betuloides forest being significantly lower. There was also significant variation between months during the study period (Wilk's Lambda, F 76; 148 = 118.9, p = 0.000), the seasonal patterns of variation, with respect to soil temperature were different between the two ecosystems. The low values observed in the N. betuloides forest probably: reflect the rigorous climatic conditions, and low litter inputs dominated by species of low decomposability. However, soil temperatures were not a good predictor of temporal variation of mineralization or enzymatic activity. © 2008 Universidad de Concepción.