Comparison of Microbial Diversity and Soil Respiration Among Alley Cropping, Silvopasture, Pasture, and Conventional Agricultural Systems.

Sustainable land use systems are critical for maintaining environmental quality, biodiversity, and for reducing the impacts of climate change. Above and below ground environment in different land use systems influences the different microbes and organisms in each habitat. At the same time, we can alter such environments through management and other cultural practices. An evaluation of soil bacterial diversity, soil respiration, and soundscape diversity can provide a strong indication for the overall sustainability of any land use system. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil bacterial diversity, soil respiration, and soundscape diversity for alley cropping, silvopasture, pasture, and conventional agricultural systems and assess the sustainability of each land use type. Replicated soil samples were taken from each land use and soil bulk density, %C, and %N were quantified. Soil bacterial diversity was evaluated through DGGE profiles created from each soil sample. Soundscape diversity was evaluated by collecting all sounds for each land use for a 3 day period. Preliminary results show that both above ground and below ground diversity are influenced by management practices. It was observed that alley cropping and silvopasture systems harbors higher ecosystem diversity compared to pastures or conventional agriculture.