Experimental warming alters the community composition, diversity, and N₂ fixation activity of peat moss (Sphagnum fallax) microbiomes.

ABSTRACT: Sphagnum-dominated peatlands comprise a globally important pool of soil carbon (C) and are vulnerable to climate change. While peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum are known to harbor diverse microbial communities that mediate C and nitrogen (N) cycling in peatlands, the effects of climate change on Sphagnum microbiome composition and functioning are largely unknown. We investigated the impacts of experimental whole-ecosystem warming on the Sphagnum moss microbiome, focusing on N₂ fixing microorganisms (diazotrophs). To characterize the microbiome response to warming, we performed next-generation sequencing of small subunit (SSU) rRNA and nitrogenase (nifH) gene amplicons and quantified rates of N₂ fixation activity in Sphagnum fallax individuals sampled from experimenta

SUBMITTER: Carrell AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6852288 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature