The Effect of Greenways/Trails on Soil Microbial Ecosystem in Lake Johnson Park of Central North Carolina.

Modern greenways and trails are attractive areas used for recreation in many urban settings.  Anthropogenic activities at these sites may lead to soil compaction, which leaves soil vulnerable to erosion of organic matter and to leaching of nutrients.  In this study, we use a multifaceted approach of spectroscopy, microscopy and molecular techniques to assess differences in soil microbial community structure as effected by use of unpaved and paved trails at Lake Johnson Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. Soil microbial communities and their activities are sensitive indicators of changes in soil health and ecosystem quality, therefore the goal of this study is to elucidate the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on soil microbial community composition and functionalities at the Lake. Shifts in soil microbial functionality will be characterized by assaying the soil enzyme activities that are essential to the biogeochemical cycling of C, N, P and S.  Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and Biolog methods will be used to evaluate microbial community structure.  Moisture, pH, total carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the soils will also be assayed to characterize the physiochemical properties of the soil that may be affected by use and management of paths. The combination of enzyme activity and fatty acid profiling data is expected to aid in the evaluation of the soil microbial community responses to disturbances caused by use of the established trails. We expect to find soils nearest paved greenways to have different microbial community structure and enzymatic activities compared to soils in the adjacent natural ecosystem.