The moss traits that rule cyanobacterial colonization.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Cyanobacteria associated with mosses represent a main nitrogen (N) source in pristine, high-latitude and -altitude ecosystems due to their ability to fix N2. However, despite progress made regarding moss-cyanobacteria associations, the factors driving the large interspecific variation in N2 fixation activity between moss species remain elusive. The aim of the study was to identify the traits of mosses that determine cyanobacterial colonization and thus N2 fixation activity.

Methods

Four moss species varying in N2 fixation activity were used to assess cyanobacterial abundance and activity to correlate it with moss traits (morphological, chemical, water-balance traits) for each species.

Key results

Moss hydration rate was one of the pivotal traits, e

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8796673 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature