Microbial response to simulated global change is phylogenetically conserved and linked with functional potential.

ABSTRACT: The high diversity of microbial communities hampers predictions about their responses to global change. Here we investigate the potential for using a phylogenetic, trait-based framework to capture the response of bacteria and fungi to global change manipulations. Replicated grassland plots were subjected to 3+ years of drought and nitrogen fertilization. The responses of leaf litter bacteria and fungi to these simulated changes were significantly phylogenetically conserved. Proportional changes in abundance were highly correlated among related organisms, such that relatives with approximately 5% ribosomal DNA genetic distance showed similar responses to the treatments. A microbe's change in relative abundance was significantly correlated between the treatments, suggesting a compromise betw

SUBMITTER: Amend AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4681869 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature