Shifts In Community Structure Research Articles

Effect of rhamnolipid on the performance of compound thermophilic bacteria agent pretreatment system for waste sludge hydrolysis.

This study innovatively introduced rhamnolipid (RL) to compound thermophilic bacteria (TB) agent pretreatment system for further accelerating the waste sludge hydrolysis and substrates transformation. The results showed that combined pretreatment was beneficial for the sludge extracellular polymers (EPS) rupture and dissolved organic matters (DOM) release. In the optimal dosage of 40mg/g SS RL, the activities of protease and α-glucosidase increased by 20.7% and 33.3% than that without RL addition, respectively. The addition of RL enhanced efficient contacts between hydrolases and organic substrates, and excitation emission matrix (EEM) spectrum revealed that combined pretreatment with 40mg/g SS RL could achieve higher soluble microbial by-products occupancy (54%) and lower fulvic acid-like substances (6%) occupancy in DOM, promoting the waste sludge biodegradability. High organics availability conducted to more shifts in microbial community structure, compared with TB agent pretreatment, the relative abundance of genus Geobacillus and norank_f__Synergistaceae were enhanced by 29.08 and 0.33 times in combined pretreatment system, respectively, which was conducive to sludge hydrolysis and subsequent anaerobic fermentation process.

Cleansing our waters: how riffle fish communities in the Spring River of Kansas responded to pollution legislation, mining remediation, and improved water quality.

Metal pollution from mining is a threat to lotic fishes, although legislation that requires improved water quality and provides funding for remediation has been enacted to combat this stressor. The Spring River in southeastern Kansas historically received inputs of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc that reduced the prevalence of several sensitive and imperiled fishes. Long-term reductions in these toxic metals have occurred since the 1990's because of management activities, but presently it is unknown how riffle fish communities responded to improved water quality. As such, the objective of our research was to quantify changes in riffle fish community structure between 1993-1995 and 2019-2021 using a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study design. Responses were quantified with univariate analyses to examine the interactive effects of time period (i.e., historical versus contemporary), pollution tolerance classification (i.e., intolerant, moderately-intolerant, moderately-tolerant, and tolerant), and site position (i.e., above versus below the most severe historical metal pollution inputs) on relative abundance, occupancy, and species richness of riffle fishes. We used multivariate analyses to examine temporal changes in community structure above and below pollution inputs. Our findings indicated that intolerant fish species relative abundance increased between the historical and contemporary time periods throughout the Spring River. Occupancy of all fishes increased over time in the formerly metal contaminated portion of the Spring River, becoming similar to values in the reference reach. Changes in species richness depended on site position and pollution tolerance, as temporal increases of intolerant and moderately intolerant species richness were most pronounced in the lower Spring River below historical metal pollution inputs. Multivariate analyses revealed a significant interaction between time period and site position, as there was a shift in community structure over time in the lower reach that was less pronounced in the upper reach. Most of the intolerant species that increased in prevalence are of high conservation priority, thus our research suggested that legislation enacted to improve water quality produced a ripple effect that stimulated the recovery of imperiled fish species.

Effects of experimental nutrient enrichment and eutrophication on microbial community structure and function in “marine lakes”

Biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) are regulated by microbial communities that can respond to altered N and C availability, yet the form, consistency, and magnitude of these responses remain poorly constrained. We enriched and eutrophied distinct microbial communities in “marine lakes” through experimental additions of N (5 μM NH4Cl), C (100 μM sucrose), and combined N+C (same forms and concentrations), examining microbial community responses via 16S rRNA sequencing in conjunction with functional responses represented by net community production (NCP) and community respiration (CR) measurements. Individual N or C additions drove significant shifts in microbial community structure only sporadically, and rarely with a corresponding difference in NCP or CR rates. In contrast, the combined addition of N+C elicited strong coincident responses in microbial community structure and function: NCP and CR rates shifted sharply toward heterotrophy and were correlated with multiple microbial networks (r2 = 0.309–0.599, P < 0.001) that included globally distributed marine bacteria. Across multiple experiments, the consistent response of one network, comprised primarily of gammaproteobacterial heterotrophs (particularly Vibrio and Alteromonas), led initially dissimilar communities to converge toward similar composition. However, the distinct response patterns of other more diverse networks were superimposed on top of this network, indicating that inorganic N and organic C enrichment have multilayered effects on microbial communities. Collectively our results demonstrate that elevated N and C alter microbial community structure and function, selecting for multiple microbial networks that compete for, and rapidly cycle, N and C.

Thermophilic dark fermentation for hydrogen and volatile fatty acids production from breadcrumbs

Food waste poses significant environmental challenges, with Japan generating 100 million kg of bread waste annually. This study explores the potential of thermophilic dark fermentation to convert bread waste into hydrogen (H2) and volatile fatty acids (VFA). A 3-L continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) was operated for 269 days using breadcrumb as feedstock. The highest H2 production rate of 7.0 L-H2 L−1 d−1 was achieved on day 52 with the production of acetate and butyrate. However, H2 production fluctuated significantly, correlated with the shifts of microbial community structure. Initially, Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum, Thermocoprobibacter melissae, and Anaerocolumna jejuensis coexisted, but An. jejuensis outcompeted others during the deterioration phase, resulting in acetate accumulation without H2 production. Metabolic potential analysis using the phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states 2 (PICRUSt2) revealed that carbohydrate degradation was primarily carried out by An. jejuensis, while protein and lipid degradation involved diverse microbial members. The low functional diversity in carbohydrate degradation was a potential cause of instability. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using bread waste for H2 and VFA production, and provided insights into microbial dynamics essential for stable reactor performance.

Garlic stalk waste and arbuscular mycorrhizae mitigate challenges in continuously monocropping eggplant obstacles by modulating physiochemical properties and fungal community structure

Background and aimsContinuous vegetable production under plastic tunnels faces challenges like soil degradation, increased soil-borne pathogens, and diminished eggplant yield. These factors collectively threaten the long-term sustainability of food security by diminishing the productivity and resilience of agricultural soils. This research examined the use of raw garlic stalk (RGS) waste and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as a sustainable solution for these issues in eggplant monoculture. We hypothesized that the combined application of RGS waste and AMF would improve soil physicochemical properties compared to untreated soil in eggplant monoculture. The combined use of RGS and AMF was expected to suppress soil-borne pathogens, increase the abundance of soil beneficial microorganisms and alter fungal community structure. The combined application of RGS and AMF will significantly enhance eggplant yield compared to untreated plots. This study aimed to determine whether AMF and RGS, individually or in combination, can ameliorate the adverse effects of monoculture on eggplant soil. We also investigated whether these treatments could enhance eggplant yield.MethodsThe experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four treatments: AMF, RGS, and a combined treatment of AMF + RGS (ARGS), along with a control. Each treatment was replicated three times, Eggplant seedlings inoculated with AMF and treated with RGS amendments, both individually and combined. The effects on root traits, soil physicochemical properties, soil enzyme activity, and fungal community structure were investigated.ResultsRGS amendments and AMF inoculation improved root length, volume, and mycorrhizal colonization. The combined treatment showed the most significant improvement. RGS and AMF application increased soil nutrient availability (N, P, K) and organic matter content. Enzyme activities also increased with RGS and AMF treatments, with the combined application showing the highest activity. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) increased, while soil pH decreased with RGS and AMF amendments. Sequencing revealed a shift in the fungal community structure. Ascomycota abundance decreased, while Basidiomycota abundance increased with RGS and AMF application. The combined treatment reduced the abundance of pathogenic genera (Fusarium) and enriched beneficial taxa (Chaetomium, Coprinellus, Aspergillus). Pearson correlations supported the hypothesis that soil physicochemical properties influence fungal community composition.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the potential of co-applying RGS and AMF in continuous cropping systems. It enhances soil physicochemical properties, reduces soil-borne pathogens, and promotes beneficial microbial communities and eggplant yield. This combined approach offers a sustainable strategy to address the challenges associated with eggplant monoculture under plastic tunnels.

Expansion of a bacterial operon during cancer treatment ameliorates drug toxicity.

Dose-limiting toxicities remain a major barrier to drug development and therapy, revealing the limited predictive power of human genetics. Herein, we demonstrate the utility of a more comprehensive approach to studying drug toxicity through longitudinal study of the human gut microbiome during colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment ( NCT04054908 ) coupled to cell culture and mouse experiments. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed significant shifts in gut microbial community structure during oral fluoropyrimidine treatment across multiple patient cohorts, in mouse small and large intestinal contents, and in patient-derived ex vivo communities. Metagenomic sequencing revealed marked shifts in pyrimidine-related gene abundance during oral fluoropyrimidine treatment, including enrichment of the preTA operon, which is sufficient for the inactivation of active metabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). preTA + bacteria depleted 5-FU in gut microbiota grown ex vivo and the mouse distal gut. Germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice experienced increased fluoropyrimidine toxicity, which was rescued by colonization with the mouse gut microbiota, preTA + E. coli , or preTA -high CRC patient stool. Finally, preTA abundance was negatively associated with fluoropyrimidine toxicity in patients. Together, these data support a causal, clinically relevant interaction between a human gut bacterial operon and the dose-limiting side effects of cancer treatment. Our approach is generalizable to other drugs, including cancer immunotherapies, and provides valuable insights into host-microbiome interactions in the context of disease. One Sentence Summary: Gut microbial enzymes can be used to predict and prevent anticancer drug toxicity.

Decoupled fungal and bacterial functional responses to biochar amendment drive rhizosphere priming effect on soil organic carbon mineralization

The application of biochar to soil is widely recognized as a promising strategy for enhancing the accumulation and stability of soil organic carbon (SOC), which is crucial in mitigating climate change. However, the influence of interactions between plants and biochar on soil microbial communities and their involvement in SOC mineralization and stability remains unclear. This understanding is essential for optimizing carbon (C) sequestration in systems involving plants, soil, and biochar. In this study, employing a 13C natural abundance approach, we investigated the effect of biochar on the maize rhizosphere priming effect (RPE) in paddy soil. We also examined alterations in microbial communities and functional genes related to C degradation and fixation. Over the 99 days of maize growth, biochar application increased RPE and total SOC while decreasing dissolved organic C. It also elevated soil pH, resulting in shifts in fungal and bacterial community structure, favoring oligotrophic species. Fungal and bacterial assemblies were dominated by deterministic and stochastic processes, respectively. While the abundance of fungal guilds varied irregularly, bacterial guilds were uniformly enriched under biochar-plant interactions. Functional traits such as ecoenzymatic activities, bacterial guilds, and functional genes predominantly affected RPE under biochar application. Bacterial functional genes associated with C degradation and fixation were concurrently enhanced with biochar application. Our results indicate that interactions between plants and biochar can enhance native SOC mineralization and accumulation in a short timeframe by modulating functional traits of soil microorganisms, particularly the bacterial community involved in C degradation and fixation.Graphical

Food waste biochar for sustainable agricultural use: Effects on soil enzymes, microbial community, lettuce, and earthworms

This study investigates the effects of food waste biochar (FWB) on the biological properties of soil, including the microbial community structure, enzyme activities, lettuce growth, and earthworm ecotoxicity. This holistic assessment of various soil organisms was used to assess the potential of FWB as a soil amendment strategy. Pot experiments were carried out over a 28-d period using various FWB concentrations in soil (0–3% w/w). The presence of FWB enhanced the activity of alkaline phosphatase and beta-glucosidase in proportion to the FWB concentration. Similarly, the dehydrogenase activity after 28 d was positively correlated with the FWB concentration. Notably, the application of FWB improved the bacterial diversity in the soil, particularly among hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, while also prompting a shift in the fungal community structure at the class level. Measures of lettuce growth, including total fresh weight, shoot length, and leaf number, also generally improved with the addition of FWB, particularly at higher concentrations. Importantly, FWB did not adversely affect the survival or weight of earthworms. Collectively, these findings suggest that FWB can enhance soil microbial enzyme activity and support plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, potentially leading to increased crop yields. This highlights the potential of FWB as an eco-friendly soil amendment strategy.

Different Adaption Strategies of Abundant and Rare Microbial Communities in Sediment and Water of East Dongting Lake.

The dynamics of aquatic microbes is of great importance for comprehending the acclimatisation and evolution of microorganisms in lake ecology. However, little is known about the adaption strategies of microbial communities in East Dongting Lake, which had special and complexity geographical characteristics. A semi-enclosed lake area (A) and a waterway connected to Yangtze River (B) both existed in the lake zone. Here, we investigated bacterial and fungal community diversity, community network and community assembly processes in sediment and water. The results indicated that the proportion of OTU numbers and their relative abundance for rare and abundant taxa were different obviously between sediment and water, but not between bacteria and fungi. However, abundant subcommunities dominated the shifts of bacterial community diversity and structure in A region, while rare subcommunities for fungal community diversity. Compared to fungal community, bacterial network was more compact and more key stones were identified as rare taxa. In addition, stochastic processes (dispersal limitation) drove the community assembly of abundant and rare subcommunities, but the effects of deterministic processes (including variable and heterogeneous selections) affected more on rare rather than abundant taxa. Partial Mantel test further indicated that the effect of environmental factors was a stronger force in shaping abundant bacterial subcommunities (TOC, NH4+-N, TN, and ORP) and rare fungal subcommunities (ORP). Environmental factors explained more of the variation in bacterial community structure than that in fungal community structure, although they had additional effects on fungal community diversity and community assembly. Moreover, bacterial community affected the fungal community as a biotic factor in water. This research provided new insights into better understanding of microbial communities in the complex environment of the East Dongting Lake.

Differential Effects of Sulfur Fertilization on Soil Microbial Communities and Maize Yield Enhancement

Sulfur (S) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, influencing not only crop yields but also the composition and function of soil microbial communities. However, the differential effects of S fertilization on abundant and rare taxa in agricultural soils remain poorly understood. This study investigates the impact of different S fertilizer types on maize yield and the structure and stability of soil microbial communities, with a particular focus on abundant and rare taxa. S fertilization led to significant increases maize yield on two typical soils (black soil and sandy soil) (5.3–24.3%) and altered soil properties, including reducing pH (0.04–0.20) and increasing the available sulfur (AS) content (3.8–8.0 mg kg−1), with ammonium sulfate having a more pronounced effect than elemental sulfur. Microbial analysis revealed distinct impacts on the diversity and community structure of both abundant and rare taxa. Elemental sulfur reduced the alpha diversity of abundant taxa more than ammonium sulfate, while NMDS indicated significant shifts in community structures, particularly among abundant taxa. Network analysis showed that S fertilization decreased the complexity of microbial interactions among rare taxa, with ammonium sulfate leading to simpler networks and elemental sulfur resulting in higher modularity. SEM highlighted that the diversity of rare taxa played a crucial role in influencing maize yield, alongside direct effects from soil properties such as AS and SAR (aryl sulfatase). Functional predictions demonstrated that amino acid metabolism and xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism pathways were enriched in rare taxa, suggesting significant implications for soil health and crop productivity. This study provides new insights into the roles of abundant and rare bacterial taxa under S fertilization, emphasizing their importance in optimizing fertilization strategies for enhanced crop yield in specific soil types.

Assessing shifts in soil fungal community structure during the conversion of tropical semi-evergreen forest: implications for land use management

Assessing shifts in soil fungal community structure during the conversion of tropical semi-evergreen forest: implications for land use management

Invasive mussels reduce community bioturbation but do not affect oxygen penetration or nutrient fluxes in organic‐poor Great Lakes sediments

Abstract Invasive zebra and quagga (dreissenid) mussels have disrupted nutrient cycling and benthic macrofauna communities in the Laurentian Great Lakes and other invaded ecosystems. Dreissenids are now the dominant benthic macroinvertebrate in the Great Lakes, replacing the formerly dominant native bioturbating amphipod Diporeia spp. Dreissenids and Diporeia interact with their environment in fundamentally different ways, and the consequences of this functional shift in benthic community structure on benthic–pelagic coupling are not well understood, particularly in unproductive offshore lake regions. To determine how functional biology and benthic community structure impact sediment mixing and biogeochemistry in low particulate organic matter (POM) lake regions, we conducted a 6‐week sediment microcosm experiment with dreissenids, Diporeia and oligochaete worms—the second most common Great Lakes benthic macroinvertebrate. We found that sediment mixing rate and depth varied significantly among the taxa. Diporeia mixed sediment the deepest and strongest, followed by oligochaetes, while dreissenids did not appreciably mix sediment. Despite these differences, we found no significant variations among treatments in sediment oxygen penetration depth, sediment respiration (oxygen uptake) or nutrient dynamics. Our results suggest that dreissenids mix sediment less than native Great Lakes taxa, but that differential mixing rates may not measurably affect nutrient and oxygen dynamics in low‐POM sediments. Therefore, mussel effects in these areas may be manifested more through direct mechanisms rather than via altered sediment geochemistry.

Climate Warming and Mismanagement Drive the Shift of Fish Communities in the Wadi El-Rayan Arid Lakes

The Wadi El-Rayan lakes are important aquatic environments located at the border of the great North African Sahara. Quantifying the temporal changes in these lakes due to natural and/or anthropogenic stressors is critical when assessing potential impacts on aquatic ecosystem health and the sustainability of fisheries. To detect the changes in fish communities and their drivers, the landing composition of the Wadi El-Rayan lakes over the past 30 years was quantitatively analyzed. The areas of the lakes dramatically decreased from 110 km2 in 1991 to 73 km2 in 2019. The loss of the lake area was attributed to climate warming, where the evaporation rate exceeded the volume of recharge and the recharge decreased due to an increase in agriculture and aquaculture. The total landing significantly increased in the past three decades due to an increase in the fishing effort (number of licensed boats). Nile tilapia, mullet, and grass carp dominated the landings. The pelagic-to-demersal ratio indicated a shift in the fish community composition towards demersal species. This shift was attributed to an increase in the eutrophication level. The fish communities of the landing data were clustered into four distinct groups. These clusters were significantly differentiated (p < 0.001) in both a PERMANOVA test and a PCA plot. There was a gradual replacement of the dominant species among these clusters. The most recent cluster (2018–2019) was characterized by rare species dominating the community. This shift in species composition suggests that target taxa may have been overexploited. The total landing also decreased, which may have been a result of climate warming. Furthermore, the presence of alien and warm-water species significantly increased. The fish community structure and composition shift could be attributed to anthropogenic (mismanagement) and natural climatic changes (warming).

Seasonal dynamics of environmental heterogeneity augment microbial interactions by regulating community structure in different trophic lakes

Understanding how environmental heterogeneity drives microbial communities in lakes is essential for developing effective strategies to manage and restore aquatic ecosystems. However, the mechanisms by which environmental heterogeneity influences microbial community structure, network patterns, and interactions remain largely unexplored. To bridge this gap, we collected 84 water samples from four typical lakes in China (Fuxian, Tianmu, Taihu, and Xingyun) representing a range of trophic levels, across wet and dry seasons. We assessed environmental heterogeneity using 14 water quality parameters, analyzed community structure with Jaccard and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity indices, and developed a comprehensive index to elucidate microbial network complexity. Our study reveals three key findings: (1) Environmental heterogeneity was significantly greater in dry season compared to wet season across all lakes (P < 0.05). (2) Increased environmental heterogeneity led to higher bacterioplankton community dissimilarity, with greater β-diversity observed in dry season (P < 0.05). (3) Shifts in community structure due to increased environmental heterogeneity further enhanced microbial interactions, as evidenced by more complex and interconnected co-occurrence networks in the dry season. In summary, our study demonstrates that environmental heterogeneity significantly impacts bacterioplankton community structure and subsequently enhances microbial interactions. These findings underscore the importance of considering environmental heterogeneity in lake ecosystem management, as it plays a crucial role in regulating microbial community dynamics and interactions.

Mode of application of sulfonated graphene modulated bioavailable heavy metal contents and microbial community composition in long-term heavy metal contaminated soil

Nanomaterials are increasingly recognized for their potential in soil remediation. However, their impact on soil microbial communities in contaminated soil remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the dynamic effects of sulfonated graphene (SG) following one-time or repeated applications on heavy metal availability and soil microbial communities in long-term heavy metal-contaminated soil over 180 days. Our findings revealed that one-time SG application at 30 mg kg−1 significantly increased the bioavailable cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) contents by approximately 30 %–40 % after 2 and 180 days. Repeated SG applications, however, displayed no significant influence on heavy metal availability. One-time SG application, coupled with the increased available Cd, induced significant enrichment of some specific functional bacterial genera involved in glycan biosynthesis metabolism and biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, thereby decreasing the available contents of heavy metals after 90 days. However, the shifts in bacterial community structure and function were subsequently partially recovered after 180 days. Conversely, repeated SG treatments led to minimal alterations after 90 days while leading to similar shifts in the bacterial community at 60 mg kg−1 after 180 days. The fungal community structure remained largely unaltered across all SG treatments. Intriguingly, SG treatments substantially stimulated fungal biomass, with the stimulation degree dependent on SG dosage. These results provide valuable insights for developing phytoremediation strategies, suggesting tailored SG applications during specific growth phases to optimize remediation efficiency.

Autotrophic biological nitrogen removal in anammox system at elevated temperature: EPS regulation and metagenomic analysis

Carbon reduction in wastewater treatment industry has been attracted global attention. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process is known as a promising and energy-efficient technology. In this study, the effects of elevated temperature on anammox system were thoroughly investigated. Analyses of effluent and microbial community indicated that long-term exposure to 45℃ led to system collapse and a huge shift in community structure. Network analysis revealed that the sudden drop in abundance of AnAOB at 45℃ (from 36.19 % to 10.71 %) made them uncompetitive with heterotrophic bacteria. The decrease of EPS concentration (a minimum of 7.22 mg·g−1-VSS at 45℃) combined with the enhancement of EPS metabolism at higher temperature suggested a shift in the role of EPS from protective function at 35℃ to utilization as a carbon source for heterotrophic bacteria at higher temperatures. Through constructing the cross-feeding relationships associated with amino acids, polysaccharides, and cofactors, we found the dependence of heterotrophs on AnAOB became weaker at high temperature, and the disturbances in interspecific relationships might be responsible for the collapse of the anammox system. This work presents significant insights into the engineering of anammox process under high temperature.

Dust deposition drives shifts in community structure and microbial network complexity of a planktonic microbiome in the Northwest Pacific Ocean

Dust deposition drives shifts in community structure and microbial network complexity of a planktonic microbiome in the Northwest Pacific Ocean

Water Management-Mediated Changes in the Rhizosphere and Bulk Soil Microbial Communities Alter Their Utilization of Urea-Derived Carbon.

As one of the most important fertilizers in agriculture, the fate of urea-derived nitrogen (urea-N) in agricultural ecosystems has been well documented. However, little is known about the function of urea-derived carbon (urea-C) in soil ecosystems, especially which soil microorganisms benefit most from the supply of urea-C and whether the utilization of urea-C by the rhizosphere and bulk soil microorganisms is affected by irrigation regimes. To address this, a soil pot experiment was conducted using 13C-labeled urea to investigate changes in the composition of the rhizosphere and bulk soil microbial communities and differences in the incorporation of urea-derived C into the rhizosphere and bulk soil phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) pool under flooded irrigation (FI) and water-saving irrigation (CI). Our results suggest that the size and structure of the rhizosphere and bulk soil microbial communities were strongly influenced by the irrigation regime. The CI treatment significantly increased the total amount of PLFA in both the rhizosphere and bulk soil compared to the FI treatment, but it only significantly affected the abundance of Gram-positive bacteria (G+) in the bulk soil. In contrast, shifts in the microbial community structure induced by irrigation regimes were more pronounced in the rhizosphere soil than in the bulk soil. Compared to the FI treatment, the CI treatment significantly increased the relative abundances of the G+ and Actinobacteria in the rhizosphere soil (p < 0.05). According to the PLFA-SIP, most of the labeled urea-derived C was incorporated into 16:1ω7c, 16:0 and 18:1ω7c under both treatments. Despite these general trends, the pattern of 13C incorporation into the PLFA pool differed between the treatments. The factor loadings of individual PLFAs suggested that 18:1ω7c, 16:1ω7c and 16:1ω5c were relatively enriched in urea-C in the bulk soil, while 17:1ω8c, i16:0 and 16:0 were relatively enriched in urea-C in the rhizosphere soil under different irrigation regimes. The loadings also confirmed that 10-me16:0, cy17:0 and cy19:0 were relatively enriched in urea-C under the CI treatment, whereas 14:0, a15:0 and 15:0 were relatively enriched in urea-C under the FI treatment. These results are helpful not only in revealing the interception mechanism of urea-C in soil but also in understanding the functions of key microbes in element cycles.

Changes in bumblebee queen gut microbiotas during and after overwintering diapause.

Bumblebees are key pollinators with gut microbiotas that support host health. After bumblebee queens undergo winter diapause, which occurs before spring colony establishment, their gut microbiotas are disturbed, but little is known about community dynamics during diapause itself. Queen gut microbiotas also help seed worker microbiotas, so it is important that they recover post-diapause to a typical community structure, a process that may be impeded by pesticide exposure. We examined how bumblebee queen gut microbiota community structure and metabolic potential shift during and after winter diapause, and whether post-diapause recovery is affected by pesticide exposure. To do so, we placed commercial Bombus impatiens queens into diapause, euthanizing them at 0, 2 and 4 months of diapause. Additionally, we allowed some queens to recover from diapause for 1 week before euthanasia, exposing half to the common herbicide glyphosate. Using whole-community, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we found that core bee gut phylotypes dominated queen gut microbiotas before, during and after diapause, but that two phylotypes, Schmidhempelia and Snodgrassella, ceased to be detected during late diapause and recovery. Despite fluctuations in taxonomic community structure, metabolic potential remained constant through diapause and recovery. Also, glyphosate exposure did not affect post-diapause microbiota recovery. However, metagenomic assembly quality and our ability to detect microbial taxa and metabolic pathways declined alongside microbial abundance, which was substantially reduced during diapause. Our study offers new insights into how bumblebee queen gut microbiotas change taxonomically and functionally during a key life stage and provides guidance for future microbiota studies in diapausing bumblebees.

Impacts of Solidago canadensis and Erigeron canadensis co‐invasion on soil microbial communities

AbstractInvasive plants disrupt the structure and function of ecosystems, causing a decline in their diversity. The coexistence of Solidago canadensis and Erigeron canadensis within shared habitats is a common phenomenon, and the frequent occurrence of co‐invasion has substantial implications for ecosystems. However, the effects of the co‐invasion of two plants on the soil ecosystem across varying degrees of invasion remain uninvestigated. Therefore, we investigated how the co‐invasion of S. canadensis and E. canadensis affects soil physiochemical properties and microorganisms across various degrees of invasion. The invaded regions exhibited significantly lower soil moisture content and pH values than those in the uninvaded areas (p &lt; .05). Additionally, co‐invasion resulted in higher soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP) contents compared to single invasion by E. canadensis. Furthermore, the invaded regions exhibited a greater diversity of soil bacterial and fungal communities than the uninvaded regions. Under diverse invasion conditions, Actinobacteria and Ascomycota emerged as the predominant phyla of soil bacteria and fungi, respectively, leading to a shift in the soil microbial community structure. Moreover, homogenizing dispersal significantly influenced bacterial community succession, while ecological drift influenced the progression of fungal communities. Using structural equation modeling, this study established significant correlations between soil properties (pH, TN, and nitrate nitrogen) and bacterial interactions (diversity and community assembly) relative to microbial composition. This study revealed the influence of S. canadensis and E. canadensis co‐invasion on soil microbial communities, thereby contributing a theoretical framework delineating the impact of these two invasive plant species.