Evaluating the role of bacterial diversity in supporting soil ecosystem functions under anthropogenic stress.

ABSTRACT: Ecosystem functions and services are under threat from anthropogenic global change at a planetary scale. Microorganisms are the dominant drivers of nearly all ecosystem functions and therefore ecosystem-scale responses are dependent on responses of resident microbial communities. However, the specific characteristics of microbial communities that contribute to ecosystem stability under anthropogenic stress are unknown. We evaluated bacterial drivers of ecosystem stability by generating wide experimental gradients of bacterial diversity in soils, applying stress to the soils, and measuring responses of several microbial-mediated ecosystem processes, including C and N cycling rates and soil enzyme activities. Some processes (e.g., C mineralization) exhibited positive correlations with bacter

SUBMITTER: Osburn ED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10318037 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature