Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
09:24
Assembly and Tracking of Microbial Community Development within a Microwell Array Platform
Published on: June 6, 2017
9.6K
Diversity-triggered deterministic bacterial assembly constrains community functions.
Weibing Xun1,2, Wei Li1, Wu Xiong1
1Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-Saving Fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
Nature Communications
|August 25, 2019
Summary
Microbial diversity impacts ecosystem function. Lower microbial species richness (α-diversity) leads to deterministic assembly, reducing specialized functions and potentially limiting soil ecosystem processes.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Ecosystem Science
- Community Ecology
Background:
- Microbial alpha-diversity (α-diversity), or local species richness, is increasingly linked to ecosystem function.
- Microbial beta-diversity (β-diversity), representing variation among microbial communities, and its drivers are less understood.
- Understanding the interplay between diversity, community assembly, and function is crucial for soil ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of microbial α-diversity on stochastic and deterministic community assembly processes.
- To determine how these assembly processes influence microbial community structure and function.
- To elucidate the role of specialized functions in microbial community assembly and ecosystem sustainability.
Main Methods:
- Experimental generation of bacterial communities with varying α-diversity.
- DNA sequencing to determine microbial community structure.
- Phylogenetic null modeling to analyze community assembly processes (stochastic vs. deterministic).
- Inference of potential community functional traits.
Main Results:
- Stochastic assembly processes were dominant in high-diversity microbial communities.
- Deterministic assembly processes predominated in low-diversity communities.
- Low α-diversity was associated with a reduction in specialized functions linked to specific bacterial taxa.
- Deterministic assembly in low-diversity systems appeared to constrain overall community functions.
Conclusions:
- Microbial α-diversity influences the balance of stochastic and deterministic assembly processes.
- Deterministic assembly in low-diversity systems can limit ecosystem functions by reducing functional redundancy and specialization.
- Specialized microbial functions play a key role in community assembly and the maintenance of soil ecosystem functions.
Related Concept Videos
00:30What are Populations and Communities?
37.2K
Overview
37.2K
01:30Bacterial Signaling
40.1K
Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
40.1K
01:30Diversity of Archaea I
559
Archaea, a domain of single-celled microorganisms, are classified into five major phyla based on genetic and biochemical characteristics: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, Korarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota. Among these, the phylum Euryarchaeota is notable for its remarkable diversity in morphology, metabolism, and ecological adaptations.Morphological and Metabolic DiversityMembers of Euryarchaeota exhibit a variety of cellular shapes, including rods and cocci. Their metabolic pathways...
559
01:24Diversity of Archaea II
462
Archaea, one of the three domains of life, exhibit remarkable diversity and adaptability, thriving in both extreme and moderate environments. Historically, most identified archaea have been classified into two major phyla: Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. However, recent molecular studies have expanded this classification to include three additional phyla: Thaumarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, and Korarchaeota, each exhibiting unique characteristics and ecological roles.Thaumarchaeota: Mesophiles...
462
01:15Diversity of Protists I
870
Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
870
01:27Diversity of Protists II
797
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
797