Microbial “hotspots” of organic matter decomposition in temperate peatlands are driven by local spatial heterogeneity in abiotic conditions and not by vegetation structure

Briones, M.J.I.; Juan-Ovejero, R.; McNamara, N.P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5143-5819; Ostle, N.J.. 2022 Microbial “hotspots” of organic matter decomposition in temperate peatlands are driven by local spatial heterogeneity in abiotic conditions and not by vegetation structure. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 165, 108501. 9, pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108501

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text
N532468PP.pdf - Accepted Version
Download (1MB) | Preview

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108501

Abstract/Summary

Climate change is triggering rapid shifts in plant communities and alterations in soil abiotic conditions in peatlands, with cascading effects on belowground decomposers and ecosystem C turnover. However, elucidating the dominant causal relationships between plant communities, soil biota and C fluxes in these vulnerable ecosystems requires a better understanding of the spatio-temporal variability of abiotic and biotic drivers. In this study we investigated the effects of biotic (plant functional types, PFTs) and abiotic factors (soil temperature and soil moisture) in determining dynamic patterns of soil microbial community structure and C cycling. Four representative temperate peatland habitats were selected based on their peat forming vegetation – an Atlantic wet heathland, two active blanket bogs with herbaceous plants (Molinia caerulea and Eriophorum angustifolium), and a transition mire dominated by Sphagnum mosses located along an altitudinal gradient to include the natural variations in soil temperature and water content regimes. We found that peat microbial communities were more strongly linked to local abiotic conditions than to the dominant above-ground vegetation. Aerobic conditions and warmer temperatures accelerated fungal driven decomposition and CO2 emissions under shrubs, whereas decreases in Gram−negative bacteria promoted increased C losses under Molinia. These findings suggest that small spatial differences in abiotic conditions can create local “hotspots” of organic matter decomposition. We propose that temperate peatlands should be considered as ‘ecosystem sentinels’ for climate change, acting as early-warning indicators of climate-carbon feedbacks.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108501
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-) UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	0038-0717
Additional Keywords:	carbon, climate change, microbial communities, peatland habitats, plant functional type, spatio-temporal patterns
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	11 Apr 2022 11:13 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/532468

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108501

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)
UKCEH Fellows

ISSN:

0038-0717

Additional Keywords:

carbon, climate change, microbial communities, peatland habitats, plant functional type, spatio-temporal patterns

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment