Dorchenkova Julia Andreevna

Actinomycetes are key functional group of soil microorganisms that play a critical role in organic matter decomposition and the regulation of biogeochemical cycles in tropical ecosystems. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of actinomycete community structure and the physiological traits of cultivable strains in soils and litter from two protected areas in Southern Vietnam: Bidoup and Cat Tien Nature Reserves. We combined culture-based and molecular approaches, including quantification of cultivable actinomycetes, assessment of strain tolerance to abiotic stresses, evaluation of enzymatic activities, and high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine the taxonomic composition of prokaryotic communities. Actinobacteria were found to be dominant across soils, with clear differences between soils and litter. Litter communities were relatively uniform across elevations, whereas soil communities displayed pronounced variation. Cultured Streptomyces strains exhibited broad stress tolerance and high enzymatic activity, underscoring their ecological significance in tropical soil functioning.