USE OF HASSE DIAGRAM TECHNIQUE FOR EVALUATION OF PHOSPHOLIPID FATTY-ACIDS DISTRIBUTION AS BIOMARKERS IN SELECTED SOILS

To find a measure for the diversity of soil microorganisms soils were sampled at four regions representing different soil taxonomy, texture and cropping history and were investigated by Hasse diagram technique in terms of the patterns of phospholipid fatty acids. The four regions are located at Puch, Scheyern, Bad Lauchstadt and Selling. When apply ing Hasse diagram technique we can show that the soils taken from Sche yern are characteristic for their most microbial diversity followed by soil from Puch, Bad Lauchstadt and Selling. The results also indicate that the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are of main importance to differentiate between the four regions. An index to quantify the dive rsity is suggested, based on incomparability and the number of investi gated soil samples.