Variable effects of dispersal on productivity of bacterial communities due to changes in functional trait composition.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have shown variable relationships between dispersal rate and ecosystem functioning, but the reasons for and mechanisms behind variable dispersal rate-functioning patterns are currently unknown. In this study we used six bacterial lake water communities in a laboratory experiment in order to investigate how dispersal among communities influences community productivity by evaluating three different mechanisms: 1) changes in taxonomic diversity, 2) changes in phylogenetic diversity or 3) changes in the composition of functional traits. The experiment was conducted in two phases; (A) a dialysis bag experiment where the dispersal rate among six communities was manipulated and the subsequent change in bacterial diversity and growth rate was recorded, and (B) a regrowth experimen

SUBMITTER: Severin I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3851979 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature