Shifts in methanogen community structure and function across a coastal marsh transect: effects of exotic Spartina alterniflora invasion.

ABSTRACT: Invasion of Spartina alterniflora in coastal areas of China increased methane (CH4) emissions. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we measured CH4 production potential, methanogen community structure and biogeochemical factors along a coastal wetland transect comprised of five habitat regions: open water, bare tidal flat, invasive S. alterniflora marsh and native Suaeda salsa and Phragmites australis marshes. CH4 production potential in S. alterniflora marsh was 10 times higher than that in other regions, and it was significantly correlated with soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon and trimethylamine concentrations, but was not correlated with acetate or formate concentrations. Although the diversity of methanogens was lowest in S. alterniflora marsh, invasion increased methan

SUBMITTER: Yuan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4700438 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature