Responses of soil microorganisms and water content in forest floor horizons to environmental factors

► Changes of soil microbiota in relation to abiotic environment are shown. ► Organic horizons exhibited the highest microbial activity in the old growth. ► Microbial characteristics differ in their responses to temperature and precipitation. ► Basal respiration responded to heat accumulation, but not precipitations. ► Catalase activity responded to increased water supply, but not temperatures.