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Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter
Published on: March 12, 2013
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Microbial community dynamics alleviate stoichiometric constraints during litter decay
Christina Kaiser1, Oskar Franklin, Ulf Dieckmann
1Evolution and Ecology Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria; Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14 A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
Ecology Letters
|March 18, 2014
Summary
Microbial communities adapt to decompose organic matter, accelerating nitrogen recycling and overcoming stoichiometric imbalances. This challenges traditional models of nutrient cycling and carbon (C) flux prediction.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Current models link organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling to substrate and microbial biomass stoichiometry.
- Stoichiometric theory predicts decreased carbon use efficiency (CUE) when microbial nutrient limitation is high.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how microbial community dynamics influence nutrient cycling during litter decomposition.
- To challenge the existing stoichiometric paradigm by exploring community-level adaptations.
Main Methods:
- Development and analysis of an individual-based model simulating microbial communities.
- Modeling litter decomposition with varying initial carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratios.
Main Results:
- Microbial community dynamics alter C and N limitation, producing outcomes unpredictable by stoichiometry alone.
- Interacting microbial functional groups accelerate nitrogen recycling in high C:N litter, alleviating microbial N limitation.
- This adaptation allows decomposers to maintain CUE despite stoichiometric imbalances, contrary to traditional models.
Conclusions:
- Microbial community-driven mechanisms are crucial for accurate predictions of terrestrial carbon (C) fluxes.
- Biogeochemical models must incorporate these community dynamics to reflect environmental changes.
- Stoichiometric theory alone is insufficient to predict nutrient cycling and decomposition rates.
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