Abstract
BackgroundA great number of studies have shown that the distribution of microorganisms in the soil is not random, but that their abundance changes along environmental gradients (spatial patterns). The present study examined the spatial variability of the physicochemical characteristics of an extreme alkaline saline soil and how they controlled the archaeal and bacterial communities so as to determine the main spatial community drivers.MethodsThe archaeal and bacterial community structure, and soil characteristics were determined at 13 points along a 211 m transect in the former lake Texcoco. Geostatistical techniques were used to describe spatial patterns of the microbial community and soil characteristics and determine soil properties that defined the prokaryotic community structure.ResultsA high variability in electrolytic conductivity (EC) and water content (WC) was found. Euryarchaeota dominated Archaea, except when the EC was low. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla independent of large variations in certain soil characteristics. Multivariate analysis showed that soil WC affected the archaeal community structure and a geostatistical analysis found that variation in the relative abundance of Euryarchaeota was controlled by EC. The bacterial alpha diversity was less controlled by soil characteristics at the scale of this study than the archaeal alpha diversity.DiscussionResults indicated that WC and EC played a major role in driving the microbial communities distribution and scale and sampling strategies were important to define spatial patterns.
Highlights
Soil is spatially and temporally the most heterogeneous environment on earth
The study of microbial spatial patterns provides important information that can help to (1) predict the spatial distribution of microorganisms, (2) understand the diversity moulding and evolutionary processes, (3) understand the impact of human activities on biodiversity at different scales, (4) lead to the development of strategies for ecosystem management and (5) determine how microorganisms distributed in a specific area contribute to biogeochemical processes (Fierer, 2008; Philippot et al, 2009; Bru et al, 2011; Fakruddin & Mannan, 2013; Rousk & Bengtson, 2014)
Thaumarchaeota were more abundant in locations with the lowest electrolytic conductivity (EC) and water content (WC), and the presence of Distichlis spicata
Summary
Soil is spatially and temporally the most heterogeneous environment on earth It provides adequate surroundings for a large variety of microorganisms, whose interactions with environmental factors (detritus sphere, pH, hydrosphere, etc.) make soil an extremely complex reactor. Several studies have shown that in soil the distribution of microorganisms is not random, but their abundance and activity changes with environmental gradients forming spatial patterns. The present study examined the spatial variability of the physicochemical characteristics of an extreme alkaline saline soil and how they controlled the archaeal and bacterial communities so as to determine the main spatial community drivers. Geostatistical techniques were used to describe spatial patterns of the microbial community and soil characteristics and determine soil properties that defined the prokaryotic community structure. Discussion: Results indicated that WC and EC played a major role in driving the microbial communities distribution and scale and sampling strategies were important to define spatial patterns
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