Differences in Soil Communities at Longleaf Pine Restoration Sites
Disciplines
Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology | Integrative Biology | Plant Biology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem is one of the most diverse and endangered temperate ecosystems in the world. Reasons for its decline include overlogging, agricultural land use, and fire suppression following European colonization. Restoration efforts in the longleaf pine ecosystem have since increased. Sites with preexisting longleaf can be managed primarily with prescribed fires, while other areas without established longleaf require planting and more aggressive management techniques. Bacteria and fungi in the soil surrounding plant roots are important for various plant functions, including fighting viruses, aiding in water and nutrient acquisition, and facilitating plant growth. Little is known about how differences in longleaf pine age impact associated soil microbes. Our study was conducted at two longleaf pine restoration sites: Sheffield Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Paulding Forest WMA, both located in Paulding County, Georgia. The sites have similar herbaceous community structures and have been under restoration for about 25 years but differ in stand age due to differences in site history. Sheffield WMA consists of mature longleaf pine with second-generation growth present, whereas Paulding Forest WMA consists of only young, first-generation longleaf pine. Six randomized plots (2.4 m2) were set up at each site. Each block contained an undisturbed subplot (50 cm2) from which we collected soil samples. DNA was extracted from these soil samples using a commercially available soil DNA extraction kit. The DNA was quantified and then sent to LC Sciences for PCR amplification of bacterial and fungal genome sequences. Our preliminary results indicate a significant difference in the soil bacterial and fungal communities between restoration sites, pointing towards the influence of stand age on the soil microbiome. These results will help inform how stand age and restoration practices affect soil microbial communities, which can be indicators of plant and soil health.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Paula Jackson
Differences in Soil Communities at Longleaf Pine Restoration Sites
The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem is one of the most diverse and endangered temperate ecosystems in the world. Reasons for its decline include overlogging, agricultural land use, and fire suppression following European colonization. Restoration efforts in the longleaf pine ecosystem have since increased. Sites with preexisting longleaf can be managed primarily with prescribed fires, while other areas without established longleaf require planting and more aggressive management techniques. Bacteria and fungi in the soil surrounding plant roots are important for various plant functions, including fighting viruses, aiding in water and nutrient acquisition, and facilitating plant growth. Little is known about how differences in longleaf pine age impact associated soil microbes. Our study was conducted at two longleaf pine restoration sites: Sheffield Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Paulding Forest WMA, both located in Paulding County, Georgia. The sites have similar herbaceous community structures and have been under restoration for about 25 years but differ in stand age due to differences in site history. Sheffield WMA consists of mature longleaf pine with second-generation growth present, whereas Paulding Forest WMA consists of only young, first-generation longleaf pine. Six randomized plots (2.4 m2) were set up at each site. Each block contained an undisturbed subplot (50 cm2) from which we collected soil samples. DNA was extracted from these soil samples using a commercially available soil DNA extraction kit. The DNA was quantified and then sent to LC Sciences for PCR amplification of bacterial and fungal genome sequences. Our preliminary results indicate a significant difference in the soil bacterial and fungal communities between restoration sites, pointing towards the influence of stand age on the soil microbiome. These results will help inform how stand age and restoration practices affect soil microbial communities, which can be indicators of plant and soil health.