scholarly journals Metagenomic reconstruction of nitrogen and carbon cycling pathways in forest soil: Influence by different hardwood tree species

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene N. Kelly ◽  
Geoffrey W. Schwaner ◽  
Jonathan R. Cumming ◽  
Timothy P. Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Plant Litter ◽  
American Chestnut ◽  
Soil Microbiome ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
C And N ◽  
Hardwood Tree

AbstractThe soil microbiome plays an essential role in processing and storage of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C), and is influenced by vegetation above-ground through imparted differences in chemistry, structure, mass of plant litter, root physiology, and dominant mycorrhizal associations. We used shotgun metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to quantify the abundance and distribution of gene families involved in soil microbial N and C cycling beneath three deciduous hardwood tree species: ectomycorrhizal (ECM)-associated Quercus rubra (red oak), ECM-associated Castanea dentata (American chestnut), and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)-associated Prunus serotina (black cherry). Chestnut exhibited the most distinct soil microbiome of the three species, both functionally and taxonomically, with a general suppression of functional genes in the nitrification, denitrification, and nitrate reduction pathways. These changes were related to low inorganic N availability in chestnut stands as soil was modified by poor, low-N litter quality relative to red oak and black cherry soils.IMPORTANCEPrevious studies have used field biogeochemical process rates, isotopic tracing, and targeted gene abundance measurements to study the influence of tree species on ecosystem N and C dynamics. However, these approaches do not enable a comprehensive systems-level understanding of the relationship between microbial diversity and metabolism of N and C below-ground. We analyzed microbial metagenomes from soils beneath red oak, American chestnut, and black cherry stands and showed that tree species can mediate the abundance of key microbial genes involved in N and (to a lesser extent) C metabolism pathways in soil. Our results highlight the genetic framework underlying tree species’ control over soil microbial communities, and below-ground C and N metabolism, and may enable land managers to select tree species to maximize C and N storage in soils.

The relationships between microbiological attributes and soil and litter quality in pure and mixed stands of native tree species in southeastern Bahia, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 887-895
Author(s):  
Emanuela F. Gama-Rodrigues ◽  
Antonio Carlos Gama-Rodrigues ◽  
Nairam F. Barros ◽  
Maria Kellen S. Moço
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Litter Quality ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Native Tree ◽  
C And N ◽  
Native Tree Species

This study was conducted to link soil and litter microbial biomass and activity with soil and litter quality in the surface layer for different pure and mixed stands of native tree species in southeastern Bahia, Brazil. The purpose of the study was to see how strongly the differences among species and stands affect the microbiological attributes of the soil and to identify how microbial processes can be influenced by soil and litter quality. Soil and litter samples were collected from six pure and mixed stands of six hardwood species ( Peltogyne angustifolia , Centrolobium robustum , Arapatiella psilophylla , Sclerolobium chrysophyllum , Cordia trichotoma , Macrolobium latifolium ) native to the southeastern region of Bahia, Brazil. In plantations of native tree species in humid tropical regions, the immobilization efficiency of C and N by soil microbial biomass was strongly related to the chemical quality of the litter and to the organic matter quality of the soil. According to the variables analyzed, the mixed stand was similar to the natural forest and dissimilar to the pure stands. Litter microbial biomass represented a greater sink of C and N than soil microbial biomass and is an important contributor of resources to tropical soils having low C and N availability.

scholarly journals Decomposition in mixed beech forests in the south-western Alps under severe summer drought

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Jourdan ◽  
Stephan Hättenschwiler
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Plant Litter ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
N Loss ◽  
C And N ◽  
Litter Mixing ◽  
Drought Effects

ABSTRACTClimate and plant litter diversity are major determinants of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling rates during decomposition. Yet, how these processes will be modified with combined changes in climate and biodiversity is poorly understood. With a multisite field experiment, we studied the interactive effects of summer drought (using rainout shelters) and tree species mixing in beech forests in the French Alps. Forests included monospecific stands of Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba, and Quercus pubescens and two-species mixtures composed of beech and one of the other species. We hypothesized (1) negative effects of summer drought on C and N loss during decomposition and (2) mitigation of these negative effects in mixed tree species stands. Litter lost 35% of initial C, and 15% of N on average across all sites and litter types over 30 months of decomposition. Summer drought consistently, but weakly, reduced C loss but had no effect on N loss. Tree species mixing did not alter drought effects on decomposition but had non-additive effects on C and N loss, which were dominated by direct litter mixing rather than indirect tree canopy effects. Our data suggest relatively small drought effects on decomposition, possibly because process rates are generally slow during summer and because microsite variability exceeds that in response to rain exclusion. The dominant contribution of litter mixing to biodiversity effects supports the importance of microsite conditions for C and N dynamics during decomposition, which should be accounted for more explicitly in climate and biodiversity change predictions.

scholarly journals Comparison of C:N:P Stoichiometry in the Plant–Litter–Soil System Between Poplar and Elm Plantations in the Horqin Sandy Land, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Wang ◽  
Risheng Zhang ◽  
Lining Song ◽  
Tao Yan ◽  
Enhang Na
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Plant Litter ◽  
Nutrient Cycle ◽  
Horqin Sandy Land ◽  
Sandy Land ◽  
Poplar Plantation ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil C And N ◽  
C And N

Afforestation is among the most effective means of preventing and controlling desertification. Silver poplar (Populus alba) is commonly planted tree species for afforestation of the Horqin Sandy Land of China. However, this species has exhibited some drawbacks such as top shoot dieback, premature senescence and mortality, and soil and ecosystems degradation. In contrast, Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) rarely experiences these problems in the same regions. Ecological stoichiometry plays a vital role in exploring ecological processes and nutrient cycle relationships in plant–litter–soil systems. To explore the differences in the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) balance, the stoichiometry characteristics and stoichiometric homeostasis in elm and poplar plantations in the Horqin Sandy Land, we measured C, N, and P concentrations in leaves, branches, roots, litter, and soils and analyzed N and P resorption efficiencies in the two plantations. The results showed that soil C and N concentrations, C:P, and N:P were greater in the elm plantation than in the poplar plantation. The leaf and root C:P and N:P during summer and litter N and P concentrations were greater, whereas N and P resorption efficiencies were lower, in the elm plantation than in the poplar plantation. Generally, elm exhibited greater N:P homeostasis than poplar. N and N:P homeostasis were greater in roots than in leaves and branches in the elm plantation, but they varied with soil N concentration and N:P in the poplar plantation. These findings indicate that poplar exhibited more developed internal nutrient conservation and allocation strategies but poor nutrient accumulation in soil, which may contribute to degradation of poplar plantation. In contrast, elm tended to return more nutrients to the soil, showing an improved nutrient cycle in the plant–litter–soil system and increased soil C and N accumulation in the elm plantation. Therefore, compared with poplar, elm may be a more suitable afforestation tree species for the Horqin Sandy Land, in terms of promoting the accumulation of soil nutrients and enhancing nutrient cycling in the plant–litter–soil system.

scholarly journals Effects of Abiotic Stress on Soil Microbiome

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 9036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Sabrina Natasha Abdul Rahman ◽  
Nur Wahida Abdul Hamid ◽  
Kalaivani Nadarajah
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Soil Microbiome ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Microbial Structure ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Unique Manner ◽  
Below Ground

Rhizospheric organisms have a unique manner of existence since many factors can influence the shape of the microbiome. As we all know, harnessing the interaction between soil microbes and plants is critical for sustainable agriculture and ecosystems. We can achieve sustainable agricultural practice by incorporating plant-microbiome interaction as a positive technology. The contribution of this interaction has piqued the interest of experts, who plan to do more research using beneficial microorganism in order to accomplish this vision. Plants engage in a wide range of interrelationship with soil microorganism, spanning the entire spectrum of ecological potential which can be mutualistic, commensal, neutral, exploitative, or competitive. Mutualistic microorganism found in plant-associated microbial communities assist their host in a number of ways. Many studies have demonstrated that the soil microbiome may provide significant advantages to the host plant. However, various soil conditions (pH, temperature, oxygen, physics-chemistry and moisture), soil environments (drought, submergence, metal toxicity and salinity), plant types/genotype, and agricultural practices may result in distinct microbial composition and characteristics, as well as its mechanism to promote plant development and defence against all these stressors. In this paper, we provide an in-depth overview of how the above factors are able to affect the soil microbial structure and communities and change above and below ground interactions. Future prospects will also be discussed.

Dynamics in maturing Scots pine monoculture in north-east Belgium

1990 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Maddelein ◽  
N. Lust ◽  
S. Meyen ◽  
B. Muys
Keyword(s):  
Scots Pine ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Deschampsia Flexuosa ◽  
North East ◽  
Stand Conversion ◽  
Pine Stands

The  State Forest Pijnven, created early this century by afforestation with Scots  pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) of  heathland areas is now characterised in most stands by an important ingrowth  of deciduous tree species. Ingrowth is dominated by red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), both  species originating from North America.  Deciduous ingrowth in the pine stands profoundly influences herbal  composition of the stand. Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin., abundant in all older pine stands, disappears when  deciduous trees settle and species diversity, already low in the pine stands,  further diminishes. Important oak and cherry regeneration is depending on the  presence of seed trees in the vicinity; when lacking, a new pine generation  manages to settle. A good red oak regeneration can be useful as a basis for  stand conversion towards a mixed, uneven-aged deciduous forest type, but in  many cases this possibility is hampered by massive invasion of black cherry,  preventing all other species to regenerate.

An analysis of a spontaneous ingrowth of deciduous trees in 70 year old stands of Scots pine

1987 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lust
Keyword(s):  
Scots Pine ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Pedunculate Oak ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Height Distribution ◽  
Stem Number ◽  
Pine Stands ◽  
Spontaneous Regeneration ◽  
Scots Pine Stands

In 70  years old homogeneous Scots pine stands, bordered by a hardwood belt, an  analysis was made about the spontaneous ingrowth of natural seedlings. The  analysis involved especially the following points: species and stem number,  influence of the hardwood belts, diameter and height distribution, age,  growth and structure. From the age of 30 years, a spontaneous regeneration of  hardwoods established in Scots pine stands. There are on average 7,000 plants  per ha, 80 % of which are black cherry and another fair number are red oak  and pedunculate oak. The regeneration has an average age of 25 to 30 years,  it is uneven aged, contains several diameter and height classes and has  already partially penetrated the upper stratum.     The spontaneous ingrowth allows to convert in a simple way the homogeneous  coniferous stands into mixed hardwood stands.

scholarly journals Forest defoliator pests alter carbon and nitrogen cycles

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 160361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne l-M-Arnold ◽  
Maren Grüning ◽  
Judy Simon ◽  
Annett-Barbara Reinhardt ◽  
Norbert Lamersdorf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Soil Microbial Activity ◽  
Quercus Petraea ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Operophtera Brumata ◽  
Winter Moth ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
C And N

Climate change may foster pest epidemics in forests, and thereby the fluxes of elements that are indicators of ecosystem functioning. We examined compounds of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in insect faeces, leaf litter, throughfall and analysed the soils of deciduous oak forests ( Quercus petraea  L.) that were heavily infested by the leaf herbivores winter moth ( Operophtera brumata  L.) and mottled umber ( Erannis defoliaria  L.). In infested forests, total net canopy-to-soil fluxes of C and N deriving from insect faeces, leaf litter and throughfall were 30- and 18-fold higher compared with uninfested oak forests, with 4333 kg C ha −1 and 319 kg N ha −1 , respectively, during a pest outbreak over 3 years. In infested forests, C and N levels in soil solutions were enhanced and C/N ratios in humus layers were reduced indicating an extended canopy-to-soil element pathway compared with the non-infested forests. In a microcosm incubation experiment, soil treatments with insect faeces showed 16-fold higher fluxes of carbon dioxide and 10-fold higher fluxes of dissolved organic carbon compared with soil treatments without added insect faeces (control). Thus, the deposition of high rates of nitrogen and rapidly decomposable carbon compounds in the course of forest pest epidemics appears to stimulate soil microbial activity (i.e. heterotrophic respiration), and therefore, may represent an important mechanism by which climate change can initiate a carbon cycle feedback.

Growth responses of seven major co-occurring tree species of the northeastern United States to elevated CO2

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1479-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Bazzaz ◽  
J. S. Coleman ◽  
S. R. Morse
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Growth Enhancement ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
White Pine ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Harvard Forest ◽  
Paper Birch

We examined how elevated CO2 affected the growth of seven co-occurring tree species: American beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.), paper birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh.), black cherry (Prunusserotina Ehrh.), white pine (Pinusstrobus L.), red maple (Acerrubrum L.), sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.), and eastern hemlock (Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carr). We also tested whether the degree of shade tolerance of species and the age of seedlings affected plant responses to enhanced CO2 levels. Seedlings that were at least 1 year old, for all species except beech, were removed while dormant from Harvard Forest, Petersham, Massachusetts. Seeds of red maple and paper birch were obtained from parent trees at Harvard Forest, and seeds of American beech were obtained from a population of beeches in Nova Scotia. Seedlings and transplants were grown in one of four plant growth chambers for 60 d (beech, paper birch, red maple, black cherry) or 100 d (white pine, hemlock, sugar maple) under CO2 levels of 400 or 700 μL•L−1. Plants were then harvested for biomass and growth determinations. The results showed that the biomass of beech, paper birch, black cherry, sugar maple, and hemlock significantly increased in elevated CO2, but the biomass of red maple and white pine only marginally increased in these conditions. Furthermore, there were large differences in the magnitude of growth enhancement by increased levels of CO2 between species, so it seems reasonable to predict that one consequence of rising levels of CO2 may be to increase the competitive ability of some species relative to others. Additionally, the three species exhibiting the largest increase in growth with increased CO2 concentrations were the shade-tolerant species (i.e., beech, sugar maple, and hemlock). Thus, elevated CO2 levels may enhance the growth of relatively shade-tolerant forest trees to a greater extent than growth of shade-intolerant trees, at least under the light and nutrient conditions of this experiment. We found no evidence to suggest that the age of tree seedlings greatly affected their response to elevated CO2 concentrations.

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