Evaluation of Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial Diversity as Measures of Wetland Function along A Forested Transect in Macon County, AL.

Wetlands conservation is still a major environmental issue. Current methods for evaluating wetlands and the effectiveness of wetland mitigation use vegetation, soil type, and period of inundation as primary factors.   Many researchers have questioned the efficacy of mitigated wetlands and some research suggests that mitigated wetlands do not function like natural reference wetlands.  In response to these concerns new methods are being evaluated that are able to reflect wetland functionality. Among the methods being proposed are the use of soil enzyme activity. In this study we evaluate the possible use of the phosphate enzymes and microbial diversity as possible measures of wetland activity in a forested wetland site in Macon County, AL. Phosphatase activities and selected soil parameters were measured along north to south transects.  Samples were taken in transects starting in wetland soils, through a transitional area, ending in upland soils. Phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities, organic carbon, pH and microbial diversity were measured. The soils in the wetland transects were found to have the highest phosphatase activity and percent organic carbon.  A strong correlation was found between phosphatase enzyme activities and percent carbon.  Spatial differences in microbial diversity were also observed.