Abstract
In this study, we analyzed microbial community composition and the functional capacities of degraded sites and restored/natural sites in two typical wetlands of Northeast China—the Phragmites marsh and the Carex marsh, respectively. The degradation of these wetlands, caused by grazing or land drainage for irrigation, alters microbial community components and functional structures, in addition to changing the aboveground vegetation and soil geochemical properties. Bacterial and fungal diversity at the degraded sites were significantly lower than those at restored/natural sites, indicating that soil microbial groups were sensitive to disturbances in wetland ecosystems. Further, a combined analysis using high-throughput sequencing and GeoChip arrays showed that the abundance of carbon fixation and degradation, and ~95% genes involved in nitrogen cycling were increased in abundance at grazed Phragmites sites, likely due to the stimulating impact of urine and dung deposition. In contrast, the abundance of genes involved in methane cycling was significantly increased in restored wetlands. Particularly, we found that microbial composition and activity gradually shifts according to the hierarchical marsh sites. Altogether, this study demonstrated that microbial communities as a whole could respond to wetland changes and revealed the functional potential of microbes in regulating biogeochemical cycles.
Highlights
IntroductionAs an important factor of ecosystems, play a critical role in regulating climate change as a carbon sink and a carbon source, provide a unique habitat, and support biodiversity [1]
The results suggested that the microbial community structure was significantly correlated with the pH, total nitrogen (TN), and vegetation variables in Phragmites marshes (p < 0.05), whereas the water content (WC) and Carex coverage were found to have a significant effect on microbial communities in Carex marshes (p < 0.05)
We demonstrated that microbial communities exhibit distinct compositions and/or functions in degraded sites and at restored/natural sites in two typical wetlands, the Phragmites and Carex marshes, respectively
Summary
As an important factor of ecosystems, play a critical role in regulating climate change as a carbon sink and a carbon source, provide a unique habitat, and support biodiversity [1]. Despite being the third major ecosystem on Earth, wetlands are threatened by changes in climate and land use [2,3,4]. Land use change is considered the main cause of the loss of wetland ecosystems [5,6]. Wetlands have been exploited or used as reservoirs, and as fish and shrimp ponds, whereas others have been used for grazing or have been drained and converted to agricultural, district, residential, Microorganisms 2021, 9, 211.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
