The role of soil biodiversity in carbon flow in peatland ecosystems

We are using state of the art molecular microbiological techniques including stable isotope probing to identify microbial groups involved in turnover of recent photosynthate and degradation of recalcitrant plant litter in restored peatlands. Our main research sites are a peatland that is regenerating without human intervention and a previously afforested blanked bog (in collaboration with RSPB Forsinard).

The projects are part of Scottish Government funded research project ‘Management of Soils to Enhance Function and Value’ under Programme 3: Environment – Land Use and Rural Stewardship (2006-2011).

Group members:

• Dr. Rebekka Artz
  
• Dr. Catherine Smart
• Dr. Roxane Andersen

Past members:

• Eileen Reid (2007-2009)
• Dr. Clare Trinder (2005-2008)
• Weigang Yan (MSc student) 2007

Collaborators:

• Dr. David Johnson, (University of Aberdeen)
• Norrie Russell (RSPB Forsinard)

Relevant publications:

Trinder, C.J., Johnson, D. and R.R.E. Artz (2009) Litter type, but not plant cover, regulates initial litter decomposition and fungal community structure in cutover peatlands. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 41: 651-655.

Artz, R.R.E., Chapman, S.J., Siegenthaler, A., Mitchell, E.A.D., Buttler, A., Bortoluzzi, E., Gilbert, D., Yli-Petays, M., Vasander, H. and Francez, A-J. (2008). Functional microbial diversity in cutover peatlands responds to vegetation succession and is partly directed by labile carbon.  Journal of Applied Ecology 45: 1799-1809.

Trinder, C.J., Artz, R.R.E., and D. Johnson (2008) Contribution of plant photosynthate to soil respiration and dissolved organic carbon in a naturally recolonising cutover peatland. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40: 1622-1628.

Trinder, C.J., Johnson, D. and R.R.E. Artz (2008) Interactions between fungal community structure, litter decomposition and depth of water-table in a cutover peatland. FEMS Microbial Ecology 64: 433-448.

Yan, W., Artz, R.R.E. and D. Johnson. (2008) Species-specific effects of plant colonising cut-over peatlands on patterns of carbon source utilisation by soil microorganisms. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40: 544-549.

Artz R.R.E., Anderson, I.C., Chapman, S.J., Hagn, A. Schloter, M., Potts, J.M. and C.D. Campbell.(2007) Fungal diversity and community composition change in response to vegetational succession during natural regeneration of cut-over peatlands. Microbial Ecology 54: 508-522.

Artz, R.R.E., Chapman, S.J. and C.D. Campbell. (2006) Substrate utilisation profiles of microbial communities in peat are depth-dependent and correlate with whole soil FTIR profiles. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 38: 2958-2962.

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