Climate-induced die-off affects plant-soil-microbe ecological relationship and functioning
Lloret Maya, Francisco (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia)
Mattana, Stefania (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Curiel Yuste, Jorge (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)

Date:	2015
Abstract:	This study reports the relationship between the diversity and functioning of fungal and bacterial soil communities with vegetation in Mediterranean woodland that experienced severe die-off after a drought episode. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorfism (TRFLP) was used to describe microbial community structure and diversity five years after the episode in different habitats (Juniperus woodland, shrubland, grassland), when the vegetation had not yet recovered. Vegetation diversity was positively related to TRF bacterial richness under unaffected canopies and was higher in diverse grassland. Fungal TRF richness correlated with vegetation type, being greater in Juniperus woodland. Microbial respiration increased in grassland, whereas microbial biomass, estimated from soil substrate-induced respiration (SIR), decreased with bacterial diversity. Die-off increased bacterial richness and changed bacterial composition, particularly in Juniperus woodland, where herbaceous species increased, while fungal diversity was reduced in Juniperus woodland. Die-off increased microbial respiration rates. The impact on vegetation from extreme weather episodes spread to microbial communities by modifying vegetation composition and litter quantity and quality, particularly as a result of the increase in herbaceous species. Our results suggest that climate-induced die-off triggers significant cascade effects on soil microbial communities, which may in turn further influence ecosystem C dynamics.
Grants:	Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia CGL2009-08101 Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CGL2010-16373 Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CGL2012-32965 Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CGL2013-42271 Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2009/SGR-00247
Note:	Altres ajuts rebuts per dur a terme aquest projecte: ICTS-Reserva Biológica de Doñana (projects 38/2007, 27/2009, and 11/2013) i Goverment of Madrid (REMEDINAL 2; CM S2009 AMB 1783)
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Climate change ; Drought episode ; Extreme climatic event ; Microbial diversity ; Soil microbial community ; Microbial soil respiration
Published in:	FEMS microbiology Ecology, Vol. 91, issue 2 (Feb. 2015) , p. 1-12, ISSN 0168-6496

DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiu014

Post-print 40 p, 996.0 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles