We obtained both bacterial population sizes and community fingerprints from the soil fractions. Population size was determined by staining bacteria with DTAF, a protein-stain. Slides of the stained bacteria were examined under a microscope and bacterial cells were counted by a computer. Communities of root and shoot residue differed from each other somewhat as well. This study implies that the factors affecting bacterial activity and the presence of particular species operate at a wide variety of scales.
Communities are primarily a function of their immediate, micro-scale habitats.
Cropping system can shift the makeup of communities within a specific habitat to an extent.