Nature and characteristics of forest soils and peat soils as niches for microorganisms

Abstract Forest soils are formed in mineral deposits, are generally freely draining, and occur in several major soil groups. Peat soils are formed in situ from the dead and decomposing remains of mire growing plants, they may or may not support trees, and belong to the major soil group of histosols. Disturbed mires (for peat extraction, agriculture, and forestry) are generally referred to as peatlands. Because of the fundamental difference in their parent material, forest and peat soils have very different properties and present a large difference in edaphic factors (temperature, moisture, aeration, nutrients, and acidity) influencing microorganisms. This chapter summarizes the characteristics of forest soils and peat soils, mire formation, drained peatlands, and the impact on the structure and composition of soil microorganism communities.