The decomposition of plant litter is a major process of equivalent status to primary production in ecosystem functioning.The spatiotemporal changes in the composition and dynamics of litter fungal community along a cl...The decomposition of plant litter is a major process of equivalent status to primary production in ecosystem functioning.The spatiotemporal changes in the composition and dynamics of litter fungal community along a climate gradient ranging from arid desert to humid-Mediterranean regions in Israel was examined using wheat straw litter bags placed at four selected sites along the climate gradient,arid,semi-arid,Mediterranean,and humid-Mediterranean sites.Litter samples were collected over a two-year decomposition period to evaluate litter weight loss,moisture,C:N ratio,fungal composition,and isolate density.The litter decomposition rate was found to be the highest during the first year of the study at the Mediterranean and arid sites.Although the Shannon-Wiener index values of the fungal communities in the litter samples were the highest at the humid-Mediterranean site,the number of fungal species was not significantly different between the four study sites.Different fungal groups were found to be related to different study sites:Basidiomycota,Mucoromycotina,and teleomorphic Ascomycota were associated with the humid-Mediterranean site,while Coelomycetes were mostly affected by the arid site.Our results indicate that climate factors play an important role in determining the structure of saprotrophic fungal communities in the decomposing litter and in mediating plant litter decomposition processes.展开更多
The aim of the current study was to gain a better understanding of the changes in soil microbial biomass and basal respiration dynamics in the vicinity of the bean caper （Zygophyllura duraosura） perennial desert shr...The aim of the current study was to gain a better understanding of the changes in soil microbial biomass and basal respiration dynamics in the vicinity of the bean caper （Zygophyllura duraosura） perennial desert shrub and the inter-shrub sites. Microbial biomasses as well as basal respiration were found to be significantly greater in the soil samples taken beneath the Z. duraosura shrubs than from the inter-shrub sampling sites, with no differences between the two sampling layers （0-10 and 10-20 cm） throughout the study period. However, seasonal changes were observed due to autumn dew formation, which significantly affected microbial biomass and basal respiration in the upper-layer inter-shrub locations. The calculated metabolic coefficient （qCO2） revealed significant differences between the two sampling sites as well as between the two soil layers, elucidating the abiotic effect between the sites throughout the study period. The substrate availability index was found to significantly demonstrate the differences between the two sites, elucidating the significant contribution of Z. duraosura in food source availability and in moderating harsh abiotic components. The importance of basal microbial parameters and the derived indices as tools demonstrated the importance and need for basic knowledge in understanding plant-soil interactions determined by an unpredictable and harsh desert environment.展开更多
文摘The decomposition of plant litter is a major process of equivalent status to primary production in ecosystem functioning.The spatiotemporal changes in the composition and dynamics of litter fungal community along a climate gradient ranging from arid desert to humid-Mediterranean regions in Israel was examined using wheat straw litter bags placed at four selected sites along the climate gradient,arid,semi-arid,Mediterranean,and humid-Mediterranean sites.Litter samples were collected over a two-year decomposition period to evaluate litter weight loss,moisture,C:N ratio,fungal composition,and isolate density.The litter decomposition rate was found to be the highest during the first year of the study at the Mediterranean and arid sites.Although the Shannon-Wiener index values of the fungal communities in the litter samples were the highest at the humid-Mediterranean site,the number of fungal species was not significantly different between the four study sites.Different fungal groups were found to be related to different study sites:Basidiomycota,Mucoromycotina,and teleomorphic Ascomycota were associated with the humid-Mediterranean site,while Coelomycetes were mostly affected by the arid site.Our results indicate that climate factors play an important role in determining the structure of saprotrophic fungal communities in the decomposing litter and in mediating plant litter decomposition processes.
文摘The aim of the current study was to gain a better understanding of the changes in soil microbial biomass and basal respiration dynamics in the vicinity of the bean caper （Zygophyllura duraosura） perennial desert shrub and the inter-shrub sites. Microbial biomasses as well as basal respiration were found to be significantly greater in the soil samples taken beneath the Z. duraosura shrubs than from the inter-shrub sampling sites, with no differences between the two sampling layers （0-10 and 10-20 cm） throughout the study period. However, seasonal changes were observed due to autumn dew formation, which significantly affected microbial biomass and basal respiration in the upper-layer inter-shrub locations. The calculated metabolic coefficient （qCO2） revealed significant differences between the two sampling sites as well as between the two soil layers, elucidating the abiotic effect between the sites throughout the study period. The substrate availability index was found to significantly demonstrate the differences between the two sites, elucidating the significant contribution of Z. duraosura in food source availability and in moderating harsh abiotic components. The importance of basal microbial parameters and the derived indices as tools demonstrated the importance and need for basic knowledge in understanding plant-soil interactions determined by an unpredictable and harsh desert environment.
