Compost effect on bacterial and fungal colonization of kermes oak leaf litter in a terrestrial Mediterranean ecosystem

In this study, we determined fungal and bacterial biomass associated with decomposing oak leaves (Quercus coccifera L.) in a burnt shrub amended ecosystem during 1.5 years. Three treatments were studied: control, 50 t ha−1 and 100 t ha−1 of co-composted sewage sludge and green wastes. Bacterial biomass was not affected, although moisture, N and P concentrations in litter were increased by the amendment. However, fungal biomass was depressed on plots amended with 100 t ha−1, and negatively correlated to exchangeable P. For all treatments, both types of microorganisms followed marked seasonal dynamics, with peaks of biomass during the wet periods of the year.