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Urban stress is associated with variation in microbial species composition—but not richness—in Manhattan

Authors :
Reese, Aspen T
Savage, Amy
Youngsteadt, Elsa
McGuire, Krista L
Koling, Adam
Watkins, Olivia
Frank, Steven D
Dunn, Robert R
Source :
The ISME Journal; March 2016, Vol. 10 Issue: 3 p751-760, 10p
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

The biological diversity and composition of microorganisms influences both human health outcomes and ecological processes; therefore, understanding the factors that influence microbial biodiversity is key to creating healthy, functional landscapes in which to live. In general, biological diversity is predicted to be limited by habitat size, which for green areas is often reduced in cities, and by chronic disturbance (stress). These hypotheses have not previously been tested in microbial systems in direct comparison to macroorganisms. Here we analyzed bacterial, fungal and ant communities in small road medians (average area 0.0008?km2) and larger parks (average area 0.64?km2) across Manhattan (NYC). Bacterial species richness was not significantly different between medians and parks, but community composition was significantly distinct. In contrast, ant communities differed both in composition and richness with fewer ant species in medians than parks. Fungi showed no significant variation in composition or richness but had few shared taxa between habitats or sites. The diversity and composition of microbes appears less sensitive to habitat patchiness or urban stress than those of macroorganisms. Microbes and their associated ecosystem services and functions may be more resilient to the negative effects of urbanization than has been previously appreciated.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17517362 and 17517370
Volume :
10
Issue :
3
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
The ISME Journal
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs65212254
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2015.152