Abstract
BackgroundBromelia pinguin (Bromeliaceae) is a terrestrial bromeliad commonly found under forest stands throughout the Neotropics that has been shown to have antifungal activity in vitro. We have hypothesized that this bromeliad would also have an effect on the fungal populations in nearby soil by decreasing fungaldiversity and negatively impacting C and N cycle-related activities. A previous study in the lowland forest of Costa Rica showed the soil beneath these bromeliads had decreased fungal ITS DNA and differences in C and N levels compared to adjacent primary forest soils.ResultsIn this follow-up study, we found that the bromeliad soils had lower rates of C and N biomass development and lower phenol oxidase activity (suggesting less decreased fungal decomposition activity). The results of T-RFLP and cloning-based taxonomic analyses showed the community level diversity and abundance of fungal ITS DNA was less in bromeliad soils. Sequence analysis of fungal ITS DNA clones showed marked differences in fungal community structure between habitats of Basidiomycota (Tremellales, Agricales, Thelephorales), Ascomycota (Helotiales), and Zycomycota populations.ConclusionsThe data show there to be differences in the soil nutrient dynamics and fungal community structure and activity associated with these bromeliads, as compared to the adjacent primary forest. This suggests the possibility that the anti-fungal activity of the bromeliad extends into the soil. The bromeliad-dense regions of these primary forest habitats provide a unique natural micro-habitat within the forests and the opportunity to better identify the role of fungal communities in the C and N cycles in tropical soils.
Highlights
Bromelia pinguin (Bromeliaceae) is a terrestrial bromeliad commonly found under forest stands throughout the Neotropics that has been shown to have antifungal activity in vitro
Most work has been done in these disturbed systems rather than on naturally occurring plant species within undisturbed forests to determine if naturally occurring plants can have such influences on microbial communities and ecosystem functions
In a comparison between soil underneath bromeliad-dense patches and an adjacent primary forest it was determined through qPCR-based analyses that bromeliad soil had decreased amounts of fungal DNA, increased soil dissolved organic C (DOC), decreased standing C biomass (Cmic), and decreased efficiency of C use. These results suggested the difference in fungal community structure might be associated with greater utilization of more labile forms of organic material in the bromeliad soils, and a reduced capacity to decompose more complex organic matter
Summary
Bromelia pinguin (Bromeliaceae) is a terrestrial bromeliad commonly found under forest stands throughout the Neotropics that has been shown to have antifungal activity in vitro. Vascular plants are a fundamental component of the high biodiversity and species richness present in tropical regions, which have been described as regions where “common species are rare and rare species are common” [2,3]. This high level of aboveground biomass, diversity, and net primary production [4] is inextricably linked and allows for more efficient biogeochemical cycling [5]. Some studies have shown how plant species alter the structure of belowground communities and ecosystem function [13,14,15,16]. Most work has been done in these disturbed systems rather than on naturally occurring plant species within undisturbed forests to determine if naturally occurring plants can have such influences on microbial communities and ecosystem functions
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