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Biotic and abiotic properties mediating plant diversity effects on soil microbial communities in an experimental grassland
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, Vol 9, Iss 5, p e96182 (2014), PLOS one, PLOS ONE, 9 (5), e96182, PLoS ONE, PLoS One
- Publication Year :
- 2014
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2014.
-
Abstract
- Plant diversity drives changes in the soil microbial community which may result in alterations in ecosystem functions. However, the governing factors between the composition of soil microbial communities and plant diversity are not well understood. We investigated the impact of plant diversity (plant species richness and functional group richness) and plant functional group identity on soil microbial biomass and soil microbial community structure in experimental grassland ecosystems. Total microbial biomass and community structure were determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. The diversity gradient covered 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 60 plant species and 1, 2, 3 and 4 plant functional groups (grasses, legumes, small herbs and tall herbs). In May 2007, soil samples were taken from experimental plots and from nearby fields and meadows. Beside soil texture, plant species richness was the main driver of soil microbial biomass. Structural equation modeling revealed that the positive plant diversity effect was mainly mediated by higher leaf area index resulting in higher soil moisture in the top soil layer. The fungal-to-bacterial biomass ratio was positively affected by plant functional group richness and negatively by the presence of legumes. Bacteria were more closely related to abiotic differences caused by plant diversity, while fungi were more affected by plant-derived organic matter inputs. We found diverse plant communities promoted faster transition of soil microbial communities typical for arable land towards grassland communities. Although some mechanisms underlying the plant diversity effect on soil microorganisms could be identified, future studies have to determine plant traits shaping soil microbial community structure. We suspect differences in root traits among different plant communities, such as root turnover rates and chemical composition of root exudates, to structure soil microbial communities. peerReviewed
- Subjects :
- Chromatography, Gas
Geography & travel
Soil Science
lcsh:Medicine
Biotic
Abiotic
Plant Diversity
Soil
Microbial Communities
Experimental Grassland
Plant Roots
complex mixtures
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Biomass
lcsh:Science
Phospholipids
Soil Microbiology
ddc:910
Ecology
Bacteria
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Fatty Acids
fungi
lcsh:R
Fungi
Biology and Life Sciences
Water
food and beverages
Biodiversity
Soil Ecology
Models, Theoretical
Plants
Grassland
lcsh:Q
human activities
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 9
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.pmid.dedup....5b47be519b290c715e2ba9d532fe4bc6