The soil collected in 2012 was first adjusted to 50% waterholding capacity (WHC). Moist soil for the constantly moist control and 4-days dried treatment was then weighed (equivalent to 14.35 g dry weight) into microcosms (100 ml plastic containers with lids). The same amount of 1-year dried soil was also weighed into separate microcosms. Microcosms were then placed at room
temperature (22 C) under a ventilator. Lids were left open for the 4-days and 1-year dried soils, while lids were closed for the moist control soil. After 4 days of drying, the moisture stabilised and the soil thus was fully air-dried. At each experiment, three series with
two replicate microcosms were prepared per treatment. The three series of microcosms from the dried soils (4-days and 1-year) were rewet to 50% WHC at three different time points (morning, afternoon, evening the same day) and incubated in dark conditions in a temperature controlled room (at 17 1 C, the expected summer soil temperature in the region). They were then sampled
several times. By rewetting at different time points our design achieved response curves with a high temporal resolution during the time frame with rapid changes in microbial activity (the first 50 h after rewetting). The different series are combined in the graphs.