35th Annual Student Research Conference
Characterization of the Bacterial and Archaeal Community in the Rhizosphere of Peatland Vascular Plants as Temperature and Oxygen Changes
Alejandra Anchondo Sakoda
Dr. Elisabeth A. Hooper, Faculty Mentor
Boreal peatlands effectively store one-third of the terrestrial global carbon stock due to their acidic, cold, anoxic conditions that slow decomposition. Increasing global temperatures, followed by increased vascular plant coverage and root growth, result in an influx of root exudates and labile carbons. These changes in conditions in peatlands can potentially affect decomposition rates through changes in microbial community composition. In this study, we characterized the bacterial and archaeal community by amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Our results indicate that abundance and richness of species was higher in the rhizosphere than inside the root, and temperature was responsible for variation in the abundance of microbial community composition. This study is part of a larger experimental study that aims to predict how boreal peatland carbon sinks will be affected by climate change drivers such as temperature, carbon dioxide, water table depth, pH, and oxic conditions.
Keywords: Peatland, Climate Change, Decomposition, Vascular Plant Rhizosphere
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 2-3
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 3:00