Above and Below Ground Community Structures in a Longleaf Pine Restoration Site: Native Herbaceous Species and Their Soil Microbiomes
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem is one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet and once covered close to 92 million acres of land across the American Southeast. This ecosystem was historically maintained by fires, but due to fire suppression and agricultural and logging techniques, only 3% of it remains. Restoration of this ecosystem has been of interest because of its economic importance and high ecological diversity. The native herbaceous species within this ecosystem have major effects on the maintenance of community structure by serving as fuel for the low-intensity, recurring fires the system depends on. Soil microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are known to aid greatly in many plant processes, primarily nutrient and water acquisition, resistance to infection by pathogens and diseases, and decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, little is known about the relationship between the dominant herbaceous species and soil microbiome compositions within montane longleaf pine ecosystems. In this study, we completed a multiyear, seasonal analysis of the soil bacterial and fungal microbiome compositions upon removal of the two most dominant herbaceous species in a longleaf pine restoration site. Six randomized blocks (2.4m2) were established at Sheffield Wildlife Management Area in Paulding County, GA. Each block contained four subplots (50cm2), each with one of the following treatments: 1) control; 2) most dominant herbaceous species removed; 3) second most dominant herbaceous species removed; 4) soil disturbance: no species removed. DNA was extracted from soil samples from subplots each season and PCR amplified for both fungal and bacterial gene sequences. Results from this study will provide us with baseline data on the microbiome composition within the endangered longleaf pine ecosystem that will be used to better inform restoration practices as more knowledge is gained on the intricate relationships between plants and their associated soil microbiomes.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Paula Jackson
Above and Below Ground Community Structures in a Longleaf Pine Restoration Site: Native Herbaceous Species and Their Soil Microbiomes
The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem is one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet and once covered close to 92 million acres of land across the American Southeast. This ecosystem was historically maintained by fires, but due to fire suppression and agricultural and logging techniques, only 3% of it remains. Restoration of this ecosystem has been of interest because of its economic importance and high ecological diversity. The native herbaceous species within this ecosystem have major effects on the maintenance of community structure by serving as fuel for the low-intensity, recurring fires the system depends on. Soil microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are known to aid greatly in many plant processes, primarily nutrient and water acquisition, resistance to infection by pathogens and diseases, and decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, little is known about the relationship between the dominant herbaceous species and soil microbiome compositions within montane longleaf pine ecosystems. In this study, we completed a multiyear, seasonal analysis of the soil bacterial and fungal microbiome compositions upon removal of the two most dominant herbaceous species in a longleaf pine restoration site. Six randomized blocks (2.4m2) were established at Sheffield Wildlife Management Area in Paulding County, GA. Each block contained four subplots (50cm2), each with one of the following treatments: 1) control; 2) most dominant herbaceous species removed; 3) second most dominant herbaceous species removed; 4) soil disturbance: no species removed. DNA was extracted from soil samples from subplots each season and PCR amplified for both fungal and bacterial gene sequences. Results from this study will provide us with baseline data on the microbiome composition within the endangered longleaf pine ecosystem that will be used to better inform restoration practices as more knowledge is gained on the intricate relationships between plants and their associated soil microbiomes.