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HERO ID
3848627
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Bacterial, fungal, and plant communities exhibit no biomass or compositional response to two years of simulated nitrogen deposition in a semiarid grassland
Author(s)
McHugh, TA; Morrissey, EM; Mueller, RC; Gallegos-Graves, LV; Kuske, CR; Reed, SC
Year
2017
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Environmental Microbiology
ISSN:
1462-2912
EISSN:
1462-2920
Volume
19
Issue
4
Page Numbers
1600-1611
Language
English
PMID
28120480
DOI
10.1111/1462-2920.13678
Web of Science Id
WOS:000398855400019
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) deposition affects myriad aspects of terrestrial ecosystem structure and function, and microbial communities may be particularly sensitive to anthropogenic N inputs. However, our understanding of N deposition effects on microbial communities is far from complete, especially for drylands where data are comparatively rare. To address the need for an improved understanding of dryland biological responses to N deposition, we conducted a two-year fertilization experiment in a semiarid grassland on the Colorado Plateau in the southwestern United States. We evaluated effects of varied levels of N inputs on archaeal, bacterial, fungal and chlorophyte community composition within three microhabitats: biological soil crusts (biocrusts), soil below biocrusts, and the plant rhizosphere. Surprisingly, N addition did not affect the community composition or diversity of any of these microbial groups; however, microbial community composition varied significantly among sampling microhabitats. Further, while plant richness, diversity, and cover showed no response to N addition, there were strong linkages between plant properties and microbial community structure. Overall, these findings highlight the potential for some dryland communities to have limited biotic ability to retain augmented N inputs, possibly leading to large N losses to the atmosphere and to aquatic systems.
Tags
NAAQS
•
ISA NOxSOxPM Ecology (2018)
Cited in the Second Draft
Appendix 6
•
ISA NOxSOxPM Ecology (2020- Final Project Page)
Cited
Appendix 6
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