The carbon utilization patterns observed in this study
may reflect the occurrence of specific compounds in
the undisturbed and disturbed soils (Table 2). Inositol,
for example, is a plant growth regulator, and the ability
to metabolize it is only present in the microbial communities from undisturbed sites and from site 7. Arabinose
is abundant in the hemicellulose fraction of most plants
and therefore represents a significant source of carbon
and energy for the heterotrophic soil microbiota (Alexander 1977, pp. 163–172)