Effect of rainfall-induced soil geochemistry dynamics on grassland soil microbial communities.

ABSTRACT: In Mediterranean-type grassland ecosystems, the timing of rainfall events controls biogeochemical cycles, as well as the phenology and productivity of plants and animals. Here, we investigate the effect of short-term (days) soil environmental conditions on microbial community structure and composition during a natural wetting and drying cycle. Soil samples were collected from a meadow in Northern California at four time points after the first two rainfall events of the rainy season. We used 16S rRNA microarrays (PhyloChip) to track changes in bacterial and archaeal community composition. Microbial communities at time points 1 and 3 were significantly different than communities at time points 2 and 4. Based on ordination analysis, the available carbon, soil moisture, and temperature explain

SUBMITTER: Cruz-Martinez K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3485702 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature