BACTERIAL COMPLEXES IN THE SOIL, FALLEN LEAVES, AND PHYLLOPLANE OF ANURBAN ECOSYSTEM

Saprotrophic bacterial complexes (SBCs) in the soil, fallen leaves, an d phylloplane of an urban ecosystem were studied and compared to those in natural ecosystems. Factor analysis of the data obtained revealed an increased presence of strains of the genera Rhodococcus, Arthrobact er, and Micrococcus and the family Enterobacteriaceae in all urban eco logical niches studied. Bacterial populations especially sensitive to anthropogenic factors were identified. A likely explanation of the cha nges observed in the SEC structure is given. By using pattern recognit ion methods, criteria were formulated to distinguish between urban and undisturbed habitats on the basis of the taxonomic composition of sap rotrophic bacterial complexes revealed on the same nutrient medium.