Disturbance by soil mixing decreases microbial richness and supports homogenizing community assembly processes.

ABSTRACT: The spatial heterogeneity of soil's microhabitats warrants the study of ecological patterns and community assembly processes in the context of physical disturbance that disrupts the inherent spatial isolation of soil microhabitats and microbial communities. By mixing soil at various frequencies in a 16-week lab incubation, we explored the effects of physical disturbance on soil bacterial richness, community composition, and community assembly processes. We hypothesized that well-mixed soil would harbor a less rich microbial community, with community assembly marked by homogenizing dispersal and homogeneous selection. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we inferred community assembly processes, estimated richness and differential abundance, and calculated compositional dissimilarity. Findings s

SUBMITTER: West JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9397575 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature