Growth measurements of saprotrophic fungi and bacteria reveal differences between canopy and forest floor soils
Rousk J and Nadkarni NM. 2009. Growth measurements of saprotrophic fungi and bacteria reveal differences between canopy and forest floor soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 41:862-865
From the Abstract: "Canopy-held organic matter develops into a distinct soil system separate from the forest floor in wet temperate coniferous forests, creating a natural microcosm. We distinguished between fungal and bacterial components of the decomposer community in one site with Maple (Acer macrophyllum) and one site with Alder (Alnus rubra) by using direct measurements of growth acetate incorporation into ergosterol, and leucine incorporation for fungi and bacteria, respectively. The higher organic matter content of the canopy soils correlated with higher fungal growth. The relative importance of fungi indicated by fungal:bacterial growth ratio, was higher in the canopy soil of the Maple site, while there was no difference in the Alder site. The high C:N ratio of the Maple canopy soil likely contributed to this difference. These results demonstrate a divergence between canopy and forest floor that should be explored to gain insights in decomposer ecology using the natural microcosm that the canopy soils provide."
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Rousk, Johannes; Nadkarni, Nalini
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- Canopy, Quinault River Watershed, Rainforest, Riparian, saprophytic, Soil