Ecosystem engineers drive differing microbial community composition in intertidal estuarine sediments.

ABSTRACT: Intertidal systems are complex and dynamic environments with many interacting factors influencing biochemical characteristics and microbial communities. One key factor are the actions of resident fauna, many of which are regarded as ecosystem engineers because of their bioturbation, bioirrigation and sediment stabilising activities. The purpose of this investigation was to elucidate the evolutionary implications of the ecosystem engineering process by identifying, if any, aspects that act as selection pressures upon microbial communities. A mesocosm study was performed using the well characterised intertidal ecosystem engineers Corophium volutator, Hediste diversicolor, and microphytobenthos, in addition to manual turbation of sediments to compare effects of bioturbation, bioirrigation and

SUBMITTER: Wyness AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7895378 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature