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Updated: May 28, 2025

Quantifying Corticolous Arthropods Using Sticky Traps

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Published on: January 19, 2020

Invertebrate Decline Has Minimal Effects on Oak-Associated Microbiomes.

Cynthia Albracht^1,2, François Buscot^2,3, Nico Eisenhauer^3,4

¹Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, Julius Kühn-Institut, Quedlinburg, Germany.

Environmental Microbiology

|February 12, 2025

Summary

Invertebrate decline significantly alters grassland leaf microbiomes, increasing fungal pathogens and specific bacteria. Belowground effects were minimal, but aboveground changes impacted plant-insect interactions.

Keywords:

Quercus robur bacteria ecosystem functioning fungi iDiv Ecotron insect decline plant microbiome

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Microbiology
Environmental Science

Background:

Invertebrate biomass is declining globally, raising concerns about ecosystem stability.
Biodiversity loss can disrupt trophic interactions and alter microbial communities.
Ecosystem processes may be affected by cascading effects from invertebrate decline.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of simulated invertebrate decline on grassland ecosystems and Quercus robur L. saplings.
To assess changes in oak biomass partitioning, mycorrhiza formation, and gene expression.
To analyze the composition of leaf, root, and rhizosphere microbiomes.

Main Methods:

Grassland mesocosms with varying levels of invertebrate biomass (36%, 100%, and none) were established.
Quercus robur L. saplings were included to study effects beyond grasslands.
Oak biomass, mycorrhiza, gene expression, and microbiome composition were analyzed.

Main Results:

Invertebrate decline did not significantly impact oak performance or herbivory gene expression.
Fungal communities in leaves showed increased saprotrophs and pathogens.
Leaf bacterial communities shifted, with increases in Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria.
Belowground microbiomes were minimally affected, but aphid infestations increased.

Conclusions:

Invertebrate decline has more pronounced effects on aboveground leaf microbiomes than belowground.
Changes in leaf microbial communities may have long-term implications for ecosystem health.
Altered multitrophic interactions, like increased aphid infestation, play a role in microbiome shifts.