Dynamics of the plant community and microbiom of chrono-series of post-technological soil in limestone quarry in the conditions of recultivation

Post-technogenic ecosystems represent informative natural models of initial pedogenesis and restoration under the abandoned and reclamation practices. These soils can be considered as natural experiments on restoration of microbial communities within the age row (time series or chronoseries). Investigation of different aged stages of soil formation on the spoil banks of the quarries give a possibility to obtain initial data on the rate and trends of the pedogenesis in various combinations of substrates and phytocenosis. Among the quarries of mineral substrates in North-West region, particular place is devoted to quarries for lime stone exploitation located on Izhora upland. The purpose of this study conducted in one of the largest limestone quarries of Leningrad region was to examine succession of plant and microbial communities. Species composition and vegetation cover were estimated for different plant communities within each ecotype of quarry. Also at the each plot the following characteristics of soil were measured: pH; organic carbon; soil basal respiration and substrate induced respiration; texture; CO2 of carbonates and moisture content...