闽江河口红树林土壤微生物群落对互花米草入侵的响应

采用磷脂脂肪酸标记法(PLFA)研究外来入侵植物互花米草对闽江河口湿地红树林土壤微生物群落结构的影响,并探讨其主要影响因素。结果表明:从3种不同植被群落土壤(红树林群落MC、红树林-互花米草混生群落MS、互花米草群落SC)共检测到22种PLFA生物标记,MS土壤微生物PLFA生物标记总量明显高于其他植被群落,3种植被群落土壤理化性质和酶活性的变化趋势为:MCMSSC,表明互花米草入侵后土壤微生物量增加,而理化性质和酶活性均有明显下降,红树林湿地土壤质量发生了明显退化。3种植被群落土壤中含量最高的PLFA生物标记是16:0,16:1w7c,9Me15:0w,18:1w12c。土壤中特征微生物相对生物量存在明显差异,细菌分布量最大,其次是真菌和放线菌,原生动物分布量最小。群落多样性指数呈相似规律,MS土壤微生物类群多样性指数均小于MC,表明互花米草入侵后土壤微生物群落多样性指数均有下降。通过主成分分析,基本能区分出3种不同植被群落微生物群落的特征。土壤理化性质、酶活性间存在相关性,有机碳、全氮、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶与革兰氏阴性菌、放线菌呈显著或极显著正相关。研究结果表明互花米草入侵在一定程度上具有影响红树林群落土壤营养代谢循环的潜力,特别是关于碳、氮、磷等的循环及酶活性,改变部分有利于自身生长的土壤环境相关的微生物类群含量,竞争有利环境,迅速扩张实现入侵。     

Restoration of Aegiceras corniculatum mangroves in Jiulongjiang Estuary changed macro-benthic faunal community

Macro-benthic faunal communities were compared between non-vegetation mudflat and Aegiceras corniculatum mangroves with different ages in Jiulongjiang Estuary, China. Faunal species number was highest in the mature mangrove and was higher in mangroves than in the mudflat, as snails and some crustaceans species were only collected in mangroves. The 5-year-old mangrove had the highest infaunal abundance and crustacean biomass. Snails had more abundance in the young mangroves. Uca arcuata was the dominant crab species in the non-vegetation mudflat and 5-year-old mangrove. Mangrove vegetation and sediment characteristics analyses indicated different habitats due to A. corniculatum mangrove restoration. However, overall poor correlations between faunal assemblage and sediment properties indicated that sediment properties were not the major factors influencing faunal distribution.     

Inoculation with Pisolithus tinctorius may ameliorate acid rain impacts on soil microbial communities associated with Pinus massoniana seedlings

Human activities accelerate acidification, particularly as acid rain, which may have lasting impacts on soil abiotic and biotic parameters. However, the effects of acidification on aboveground vegetation, belowground communities, and carbon cycling remains unresolved. We examined the effects of long-term acidic treatments and Pisolithus tinctorius inoculation on plants, soils, and microbial communities in pine (Pinus) plantations and found that exposure to severely-acidic treatments diminished plant performance, altered microbial communities, and decreased organic matter, nitrate, and available phosphorus. Although we did not detect any benefits of P. tinctorius inoculation for Pinus seedlings impacted by severely-acidic treatments, when these severe treatments were inoculated with P. tinctorius, both soil properties and microbial community composition shifted. We posit that inoculation with P. tinctorius may alleviate stressful environmental conditions, and change the structure of mycorrhizal fungal communities. Although acidification may alter biogeochemical cycles and constrain aboveground and belowground communities, P. tinctorius inoculation may provide benefits to some components of forested ecosystems.     

GeoChip-based analysis of the functional gene diversity and metabolic potential of soil microbial communities of mangroves

Mangroves are unique and highly productive ecosystems and harbor very special microbial communities. Although the phylogenetic diversity of sediment microbial communities of mangrove habitats has been examined extensively, little is known regarding their functional gene diversity and metabolic potential. In this study, a high-throughput functional gene array (GeoChip 4.0) was used to analyze the functional diversity, composition, structure, and metabolic potential of microbial communities in mangrove habitats from mangrove national nature reserves in China. GeoChip data indicated that these microbial communities were functionally diverse as measured by the number of genes detected, unique genes, and various diversity indices. Almost all key functional gene categories targeted by GeoChip 4.0 were detected in the mangrove microbial communities, including carbon (C) fixation, C degradation, methane generation, nitrogen (N) fixation, nitrification, denitrification, ammonification, N reduction, sulfur (S) metabolism, metal resistance, antibiotic resistance, and organic contaminant degradation. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of all detected genes showed that Spartina alterniflora (HH), an invasive species, did not harbor significantly different microbial communities from Aegiceras corniculatum (THY), a native species, but did differ from other species, Kenaelia candel (QQ), Aricennia marina (BGR), and mangrove-free mud flat (GT). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results indicated the microbial community structure was largely shaped by surrounding environmental variables, such as total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC), pH, C/N ratio, and especially salinity. This study presents a comprehensive survey of functional gene diversity of soil microbial communities from different mangrove habitats/species and provides new insights into our understanding of the functional potential of microbial communities in mangrove ecosystems.     

Illumina Sequencing of 16S rRNA Tag Revealed Spatial Variations of Bacterial Communities in a Mangrove Wetland

The microbial community plays an essential role in the high productivity in mangrove wetlands. A proper understanding of the spatial variations of microbial communities will provide clues about the underline mechanisms that structure microbial groups and the isolation of bacterial strains of interest. In the present study, the diversity and composition of the bacterial community in sediments collected from four locations, namely mudflat, edge, bulk, and rhizosphere, within the Mai Po Ramsar Wetland in Hong Kong, SAR, China were compared using the barcoded Illumina paired-end sequencing technique. Rarefaction results showed that the bulk sediment inside the mature mangrove forest had the highest bacterial α-diversity, while the mudflat sediment without vegetation had the lowest. The comparison of β-diversity using principal component analysis and principal coordinate analysis with UniFrac metrics both showed that the spatial effects on bacterial communities were significant. All sediment samples could be clustered into two major groups, inner (bulk and rhizosphere sediments collected inside the mangrove forest) and outer mangrove sediments (the sediments collected at the mudflat and the edge of the mangrove forest). With the linear discriminate analysis scores larger than 3, four phyla, namely Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Nitrospirae, and Verrucomicrobia, were enriched in the nutrient-rich inner mangrove sediments, while abundances of Proteobacteria and Deferribacterias were higher in outer mangrove sediments. The rhizosphere effect of mangrove plants was also significant, which had a lower α-diversity, a higher amount of Nitrospirae, and a lower abundance of Proteobacteria than the bulk sediment nearby.     

冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田对双季稻田根际土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响

微生物群落功能多样性是土壤质量变化重要的指标,不同作物类型的秸秆还田措施对土壤微生物群落功能多样性具有明显的影响。以位于双季稻主产区不同冬季覆盖作物-双季稻种植模式大田定位试验田为研究对象,以冬闲-双季稻种植模式为对照(CK),应用Biolog-GN技术开展黑麦草-双季稻(Ry)、紫云英-双季稻(Mv)、油菜-双季稻(Ra)和马铃薯-双季稻(Po)种植模式条件下不同冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田后对双季稻田根际土壤微生物功能多样性影响的研究。研究结果表明,早稻和晚稻成熟期,与CK处理相比,冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田处理增加了稻田土壤碳源平均颜色变化率(AWCD),以Po处理AWCD均为最高,均显著高于Ry和CK处理。不同冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田处理土壤微生物代谢多样性指数表现出明显的差异,早稻成熟期,Po处理的Richness、Shannon和McIntosh指数均为最高,其次为Ry、Mv和Ra处理,CK处理最低;晚稻成熟期,各处理的Richness、Shannon和McIntosh指数大小顺序均表现为PoRaMvRyCK。土壤微生物碳源利用的主成分分析结果表明,各冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田处理根际土壤微生物利用的主要碳源为氨基酸类和糖类物质,不同处理间碳源利用类型有差异。冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田措施有利于提高双季稻田根际土壤微生物对碳源的利用能力、物种丰富度和均匀度。     

Distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in four semi-mangrove plant communities

To better understand the diversity and species composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in mangrove ecosystems, the AMF colonization and distribution in four semi-mangrove plant communities were investigated. Typical AMF hyphal, vesicle and arbuscular structures were commonly observed in all the root samples, indicating that AMF are important components on the landward fringe of mangrove habitats. AMF spores were extracted from the rhizospheric soils, and an SSU rDNA fragment from each spore morph-type was amplified and sequenced for species identification. AMF species composition and diversity in the roots of each semi-mangrove species were also analyzed based on an SSU-ITS-LSU fragment, which was amplified, cloned and sequenced from root samples. In total, 11 unique AMF sequences were obtained from spores and 172 from roots. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the sequences from the soil and roots were grouped into 5 and 14 phylotypes, respectively. AMF from six genera including Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Diversispora, Funneliformis, Paraglomus, and Rhizophagus were identified, with a further six phylotypes from the Glomeraceae family that could not be identified to the genus level. The AMF genus composition in the investigated semi-mangrove communities was very similar to that in the intertidal zone of this mangrove ecosystem and other investigated mangrove ecosystems, implying possible fungal adaptation to mangrove conditions.     

Changes in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities along a river delta island in northeastern Brazil

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a key role in the maintenance of the balance of terrestrial ecosystems, but little is known about the biogeography of these fungi, especially on tropical islands. This study aims to compare AMF community structure along a transect crossing a fluvial-marine island and relate these communities with soil and vegetation parameters to shed light on the forces driving AMF community structure on a local scale. We tested the hypothesis that the composition of AMF communities changes across the island, even within short distances among sites, in response to differences in edaphic characteristics and vegetation physiognomies. We sampled roots and soils in five different natural and degraded habitats: preserved mangrove forest (MF), degraded mangrove forest (MD), natural Restinga forest (RF), and two regeneration Restinga forests (RR1 and RR2) on Ilha da Restinga, northeastern Brazil. We determined the mycorrhizal colonization rate and AMF community structure based on morphological spore identification. The island soils were sandy with pH varying from acid to neutral; higher levels of organic matter were registered in RF and lower in MF; other chemical and physical soil attributes differed along the habitat types on the island. In total, 22 AMF species were identified, without any difference in species richness. However, the diversity and composition of AMF communities, spore abundance per families, and mycorrhizal colonization were statistically different among the habitats. The composition of AMF communities was strongly related to soil characteristics, especially the sum of exchangeable bases. Our results indicate that the different habitat types have diverse AMF communities even within short distances among habitats. In conclusion, islands with high spatial heterogeneity in soil parameters and diverse vegetation are potential refuges for the diversity conservation of AM fungi.     

Impact of Bt Corn on Rhizospheric and Soil Eubacterial Communities and on Beneficial Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in Experimental Microcosms

A polyphasic approach has been developed to gain knowledge of suitable key indicators for the evaluation of environmental impact of genetically modified Bt 11 and Bt 176 corn lines on soil ecosystems. We assessed the effects of Bt corn (which constitutively expresses the insecticidal toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis, encoded by the truncated Cry1Ab gene) and non-Bt corn plants and their residues on rhizospheric and bulk soil eubacterial communities by means of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses of 16S rRNA genes, on the nontarget mycorrhizal symbiont Glomus mosseae, and on soil respiration. Microcosm experiments showed differences in rhizospheric eubacterial communities associated with the three corn lines and a significantly lower level of mycorrhizal colonization in Bt 176 corn roots. In greenhouse experiments, differences between Bt and non-Bt corn plants were detected in rhizospheric eubacterial communities (both total and active), in culturable rhizospheric heterotrophic bacteria, and in mycorrhizal colonization. Plant residues of transgenic plants, plowed under at harvest and kept mixed with soil for up to 4 months, affected soil respiration, bacterial communities, and mycorrhizal establishment by indigenous endophytes. The multimodal approach utilized in our work may be applied in long-term field studies aimed at monitoring the real hazard of genetically modified crops and their residues on nontarget soil microbial communities.     

Restoration of Shorebird‐Roosting Mudflats by Partial Removal of Estuarine Mangroves in Northern Taiwan

Expansion of the monospecific mangrove, Kandelia obovata, has converted intertidal mudflats and other habitats into mangrove forests, thus reducing estuarine biodiversity in the Danshuei River estuary, northern Taiwan. Dense mangrove vegetation was removed to create a small patchwork of mudflats and a tidal creek in February 2007. Subsequent changes in sediment properties and biodiversity of the macrobenthos and avian communities were examined. The results showed that the creation of different habitats led to changes in sediment properties and biodiversity. The water content and sorting degree of the sediments differed significantly among the restored mudflat, the tidal creek, and the mangrove control site. Silt/clay, organic carbon content, and chlorophyll a concentrations varied seasonally, but not among sites. The abundance of polychaetes in the creek was greater than that in the mudflat or the mangrove (12.5 vs. 5.3 and 2.2 individuals/m², respectively), suggesting preferential colonization of infaunal polychaetes in habitats with prolonged submersion. Crabs showed seasonal changes in density, with higher densities in summer than in autumn and winter. The species richness of wintering shorebirds on the created mudflat increased dramatically from 2002 to 2007. The transformation of a vegetated area into an open mudflat appeared to benefit shorebirds by providing roosting habitat. Our study demonstrated that controlling the spread of estuarine mangrove forests could increase biodiversity, and could particularly benefit the migratory shorebird community.     

盐城滨海滩涂湿地典型植物群落土壤微生物组成与结构特征

土壤微生物是生态系统维持正常结构与功能的重要组成部分,为探究盐城滩涂典型湿地土壤微生物群落结构特征,以江苏盐城滩涂互花米草、藨草、盐地碱蓬、芦苇及淤泥质光滩5种典型群落为对象,采用16S rRNA高通量测序技术分析0—10 cm(表层)、10—30 cm(中层)、30—60 cm(深层)土壤微生物多样性及群落结构。结果表明：(1)几种植物群落间,土壤微生物群落结构差异较大,主要体现在细菌群落结构的差异性,古菌群落结构差异相对较小。光滩与植物群落间,在土壤细菌种类及相对丰度上差异相对较大,互花米草群落与本土植物群落间,在微生物群落的细菌种类组成上存在较大差异;藨草群落土壤表层微生物群落结构与互花米草群落相似,深层与盐地碱蓬、芦苇群落相似。(2)同一群落不同层次土壤微生物群落结构相似,差异小于不同群落间土壤微生物群落的结构差异性;不同群落对应层次间,表深层土壤中五种群落土壤微生物多样性存在显著差异,中层土壤中五种群落微生物多样性差异不显著。总体上,植物群落类型对土壤微生物群落结构的影响大于土壤深度;与本土植物群落相比,互花米草群落土壤主要优势门微生物种类差异较小,但部分优势门微生物相对丰度...     

Spontaneous urban vegetation as an indicator of soil functionality and ecosystem services

Questions

Our study focused on spontaneous vegetation in urban greenspaces in a Mediterranean city with the aim of relating plant community properties with ecological services along soil disturbance gradients. We asked which plant communities have the greatest plant biodiversity and soil carbon storage and the best-performing nutrient cycles and water regulation.

Location

Madrid City (Central Spain).

Methods

We studied four types of plant communities following soil disturbance gradients: vegetation on trampled soils, roadside vegetation, annual grasslands and perennial forbs. Regarding vegetation, we studied plant composition and productivity, plant diversity, plant growth forms and functional groups. Regarding soils, we determined soil organic carbon (TOC), available nutrients, the activity of seven enzymes relating to the main macronutrient cycles, and physical properties such as bulk density (BD) and soil water-holding capacity (WHC). We used one-way ANOVA to determine the influence of the plant community type on both soil and vegetation variables. Canonical correspondence analysis was performed to interpret the relationships between plant species assemblages with environmental gradients.

Results

Perennial forbs showed greater biomass and developed on soils with the greatest TOC and available phosphorus. Annual grasslands displayed the highest plant diversity. Roadside vegetation developed on soils with higher phenoloxidase activity when compared to vegetation on trampled soils and annual grasslands. Vegetation on trampled soils developed on soils with lower WHC, lower beta-glucosidase, arylamidase and phosphatase activities and higher BD when compared to perennial forbs. Plant community distribution followed gradients most significantly associated with soil organic matter content, soil compaction and nutrient cycling performance.

Conclusions

We conclude that plant communities are good indicators of ecosystem function and services which are unevenly distributed throughout urban habitats. The management in Mediterranean unmaintained urban greenspaces should be aimed at avoiding soil compaction to promote biodiversity, carbon storage and water regulation.     

Bacterial,Archaeal and Fungal Succession in the Forefield of a Receding Glacier

Glacier forefield chronosequences, initially composed of barren substrate after glacier retreat, are ideal locations to study primary microbial colonization and succession in a natural environment. We characterized the structure and composition of bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities in exposed rock substrates along the Damma glacier forefield in central Switzerland. Soil samples were taken along the forefield from sites ranging from fine granite sand devoid of vegetation near the glacier terminus to well-developed soils covered with vegetation. The microbial communities were studied with genetic profiling (T-RFLP) and sequencing of clone libraries. According to the T-RFLP profiles, bacteria showed a high Shannon diversity index (H) (ranging from 2.3 to 3.4) with no trend along the forefield. The major bacterial lineages were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria. An interesting finding was that Euryarchaeota were predominantly colonizing young soils and Crenarchaeota mainly mature soils. Fungi shifted from an Ascomycota-dominated community in young soils to a more Basidiomycota-dominated community in old soils. Redundancy analysis indicated that base saturation, pH, soil C and N contents and plant coverage, all related to soil age, correlated with the microbial succession along the forefield.     

Biochemical properties of soils of undisturbed and disturbed mangrove forests of South Andaman (India)

Studies on soil quality of mangrove forests would be of immense use in minimizing soil degradation and in adopting strategies for soil management at degraded sites. Among the various parameters of soil quality, biological and biochemical soil properties are very sensitive to environmental stress and provide rapid and accurate estimates on changes in quality of soils subjected to degradation. In this study, we determined the general and specific biochemical characteristics of soils (0-30 cm) of inter-tidal areas of 10 undisturbed mangrove forest sites of S. Andaman, India. In order to determine the effects of disturbance, soils from the inter-tidal areas of 10 disturbed mangrove forest sites were also included in the study. The general biochemical properties included all the variables directly related to microbial activity and the specific biochemical parameters included the activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes that are involved in the carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus cycles in soil. The pH, clay, cation exchange capacity, Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ levels exhibited minimum variation between the disturbed and undisturbed sites. In contrast, organic C, total N, Bray P and K levels exhibited marked variation between the sites and were considerably lower at the disturbed sites. The study also revealed marked reductions in microbial biomass and activity at the disturbed sites. In comparison to the undisturbed sites, the levels of all the general biochemical parameters viz., microbial biomass C, microbial biomass N, N flush, basal respiration, metabolic quotient (qCO₂), ATP, N mineralization rates and the activities of dehydrogenase and catalase were considerably lower at the disturbed sites. Similarly, drastic reductions in the activities of phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, ß-g1ucosidase, urease, BAA-protease, casein-protease, arylsulfatase, invertase and carboxymethylcellulase occurred at the disturbed sites due mainly to significant reductions in organic matter/substrate levels. The data on CO₂ evolution, qCO₂ and ATP indicated the dominance of active individuals in the microbial communities of undisturbed soils and the ratios of biomass C:N, ATP:biomass C and ergosterol:biomass C ratios indicated low N availability and the possibility of fungi dominating over bacteria at both the mangrove sites. Significant and positive correlations between soil variables and biochemical properties suggested that the number and activity of soil microorganisms depend mainly on the quantity of mineralizable substrate and the availability of nutrients in these mangrove soils.     

Successional changes in the soil microbial community along a vegetation development sequence in a subalpine volcanic desert on Mount Fuji, Japan

Aims

To study the relationship between vegetation development and changes in the soil microbial community during primary succession in a volcanic desert, we examined successional changes in microbial respiration, biomass, and community structure in a volcanic desert on Mount Fuji, Japan.

Methods

Soil samples were collected from six successional stages, including isolated island-like plant communities. We measured microbial respiration and performed phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis, and community-level physiological profile (CLPP) analysis using Biolog microplates.

Results

Microbial biomass (total PLFA content) increased during plant succession and was positively correlated with soil properties including soil water and soil organic matter (SOM) contents. The microbial respiration rate per unit biomass decreased during succession. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling based on the PLFA, DGGE, and CLPP analyses showed a substantial shift in microbial community structure as a result of initial colonization by the pioneer herb Polygonum cuspidatum and subsequent colonization by Larix kaempferi into central areas of island-like communities. These shifts in microbial community structure probably reflect differences in SOM quality.

Conclusions

Microbial succession in the volcanic desert of Mt. Fuji was initially strongly affected by colonization of the pioneer herbaceous plant (P. cuspidatum) associated with substantial changes in the soil environment. Subsequent changes in vegetation, including the invasion of shrubs such as L. kaempferi, also affected the microbial community structure.     

Sulphur‐oxidizing and sulphate‐reducing communities in Brazilian mangrove sediments

Mangrove soils are anaerobic environments rich in sulphate and organic matter. Although the sulphur cycle is one of the major actors in this ecosystem, little is known regarding the sulphur bacteria communities in mangrove soils. We investigated the abundance, composition and diversity of sulphur‐oxidizing (SOB) and sulphate‐reducing (SRB) bacteria in sediments from three Brazilian mangrove communities: two contaminated, one with oil (OilMgv) and one with urban waste and sludge (AntMgv), and one pristine (PrsMgv). The community structures were assessed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) and clone libraries, using genes for the enzymes adenosine‐5′‐phosphosulphate reductase (aprA) and sulphite reductase (Dsr) (dsrB). The abundance for qPCR showed the ratio dsrB/aprA to be variable among mangroves and higher according to the gradient observed for oil contamination in the OilMgv. The PCR‐DGGE patterns analysed by Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling revealed differences among the structures of the three mangrove communities. The clone libraries showed that Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria were the most abundant groups associated with sulphur cycling in mangrove sediments. We conclude that the microbial SOB and SRB communities in mangrove soils are different in each mangrove forest and that such microbial communities could possibly be used as a proxy for contamination in mangrove forests.     

Spatial and halophyte-associated microbial communities in intertidal coastal region of India

Microbial communities in intertidal coastal soils respond to a variety of environmental factors related to resources availability, habitat characteristics, and vegetation. These intertidal soils of India are dominated with Salicornia brachiata, Aeluropus lagopoides, and Suaeda maritima halophytes, which play a significant role in carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and improving microenvironment. However, the relative contribution of edaphic factors, halophytes, rhizosphere, and bulk sediments on microbial community composition is poorly understood in the intertidal sediments. Here, we sampled rhizosphere and bulk sediments of three dominant halophytes (Salicornia, Aeluropus, and Suaeda) from five geographical locations of intertidal region of Gujarat, India. Sediment microbial community structure was characterized using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling. Microbial biomass was significantly influenced by the pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, nitrogen, and sodium and potassium concentrations. Multivariate analysis of PLFA profiles had significantly separated the sediment microbial community composition of regional sampling sites, halophytes, rhizosphere, and bulk sediments. Sediments from Suaeda plants were characterized by higher abundance of PLFA biomarkers of Gram-negative, total bacteria, and actinomycetes than other halophytes. Significantly highest abundance of Gram-positive and fungal PLFAs was observed in sediments of Aeluropus and Salicornia, respectively than in those of Suaeda. The rhizospheric sediment had significantly higher abundance of Gram-negative and fungal PLFAs biomarkers compared to bulk sediment. The results of the present study contribute to our understanding of the relative importance of different edaphic and spatial factors and halophyte vegetation on sediment microbial community of intertidal sediments of coastal ecosystem.     

Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of Soil Bacterial Communities under Different Vegetation Types in Subtropical Area

Soil microbes are active players in energy flow and material exchange of the forest ecosystems, but the research on the relationship between the microbial diversity and the vegetation types is less conducted, especially in the subtropical area of China. In this present study, the rhizosphere soils of evergreen broad-leaf forest (EBF), coniferous forest (CF), subalpine dwarf forest (SDF) and alpine meadow (AM) were chosen as test sites. Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) analysis was used to detect the composition and diversity of soil bacterial communities under different vegetation types in the National Natural Reserve of Wuyi Mountains. Our results revealed distinct differences in soil microbial composition under different vegetation types. Total 73 microbes were identified in soil samples of the four vegetation types, and 56, 49, 46 and 36 clones were obtained from the soils of EBF, CF, SDF and AM, respectively, and subsequently sequenced. The Actinobacteria, Fusobacterium, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the most predominant in all soil samples. The order of Shannon-Wiener index (H) of all soil samples was in the order of EBF>CF>SDF>AM, whereas bacterial species richness as estimated by four restriction enzymes indicated no significant difference. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the soil bacterial communities’ structures of EBF, CF, SDF and AM were clearly separated along the first and second principal components, which explained 62.17% and 31.58% of the total variance, respectively. The soil physical-chemical properties such as total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) were positively correlated with the diversity of bacterial communities.     

Changes in Bacterial and Archaeal Community Structure and Functional Diversity along a Geochemically Variable Soil Profile

Spatial heterogeneity in physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils allows for the proliferation of diverse microbial communities. Factors influencing the structuring of microbial communities, including availability of nutrients and water, pH, and soil texture, can vary considerably with soil depth and within soil aggregates. Here we investigated changes in the microbial and functional communities within soil aggregates obtained along a soil profile spanning the surface, vadose zone, and saturated soil environments. The composition and diversity of microbial communities and specific functional groups involved in key pathways in the geochemical cycling of nitrogen, Fe, and sulfur were characterized using a coupled approach involving cultivation-independent analysis of both 16S rRNA (bacterial and archaeal) and functional genes (amoA and dsrAB) as well as cultivation-based analysis of Fe(III)-reducing organisms. Here we found that the microbial communities and putative ammonia-oxidizing and Fe(III)-reducing communities varied greatly along the soil profile, likely reflecting differences in carbon availability, water content, and pH. In particular, the Crenarchaeota 16S rRNA sequences are largely unique to each horizon, sharing a distribution and diversity similar to those of the putative (amoA-based) ammonia-oxidizing archaeal community. Anaerobic microenvironments within soil aggregates also appear to allow for both anaerobic- and aerobic-based metabolisms, further highlighting the complexity and spatial heterogeneity impacting microbial community structure and metabolic potential within soils.     

Transgenic Bt cotton has no apparent effect on enzymatic activities or functional diversity of microbial communities in rhizosphere soil

A transgenic Bt cotton (Sukang-103) and its non-Bt cotton counterpart (Sumian-12) were investigated to evaluate the potential risk of transgenes on the soil ecosystem. The activities of urease, phosphatase, dehydrogenase, phenol oxidase, and protease in cotton rhizosphere were assayed during the vegetative, reproductive, and senescing stages of cotton growth and after harvest. A Biolog system was used to evaluate the functional diversity of microbial communities in soils after a complete cotton growth cycle. Enzymatic activities in soils amended with cotton biomass were also assayed. Results showed that there were few significant differences in enzyme activities between Bt and non-Bt cottons at any of the growth stages and after harvest; amendment with cotton biomass to soil enhanced soil enzyme activities, but there were no significant difference between Bt and non-Bt cotton; the richness of the microbial communities in rhizosphere soil did not differ between Bt and the non-Bt cotton, and close to that of control soil; the functional diversity of microbial communities were not different in rhizosphere soils between Bt and non-Bt cotton. All results suggested that there was no evidence to indicate any adverse effects of Bt cotton on the soil ecosystem in this study.