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Elevated atmospheric CO2 affects soil microbial diversity associated with trembling aspen
Celine Lesaulnier1, Dimitris Papamichail, Sean McCorkle
1Brookhaven National Laboratory, Biology Department, Building 463, Upton, New York 11973-5000, USA.
Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) altered soil microbes in trembling aspen ecosystems. While total microbial abundance remained stable, key decomposers and fungi increased, and nitrate reducers decreased, impacting soil health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Ecology
Background:
- Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are rising globally.
- Elevated CO2 can influence plant physiology and litter production.
- Understanding soil microbial responses to CO2 is crucial for ecosystem function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 on soil microbial community composition.
- To analyze changes in bacterial and archaeal populations associated with trembling aspen.
Main Methods:
- Classification of 6996 ribosomal DNA sequences from soil metagenomes.
- Analysis of microbial communities from the Rhinelander WI free-air CO2 and O3 enrichment (FACE) experiments.
- Comparative analysis of microbial population changes under elevated CO2.
Main Results:
- Total bacterial and eukaryotic abundance did not change significantly.
- An increase in heterotrophic decomposers and ectomycorrhizal fungi was observed.
- Nitrate reducers (bacteria and archaea, phylum Crenarchaea) significantly decreased under elevated CO2.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CO2 alters soil microbial community structure in trembling aspen ecosystems.
- Observed changes suggest altered plant-microorganism interactions.
- Increased plant detritus production under elevated CO2 is a likely driver of microbial shifts.
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