Changes in soil microbial community structure and metabolic activity following conversion from native Pinus massoniana plantations to exotic Eucalyptus plantations

► Impacts of converting native Pinus to exotic Eucalyptus plantation were studied. ► Changes in soil microbial communities were determined after plantation conversion. ► Eucalyptus planting alters soil microbial community structure and function. ► Results provide an example of how exotic tree introduction can alter soil microbe.