TY - JOUR
T1 - Microclimatological consequences for plant and microbial composition in Sphagnum-dominated peatlands
AU - Robroek, Bjorn J M
AU - Jasper Wubs, E. R.
AU - Martí, Magali
AU - Zajac, Katarzyna
AU - Andersen, Jacob Palsgaard
AU - Andersson, Arne
AU - Börjesson, Gunnar
AU - Bragazza, Luca
AU - Dise, Nancy B.
AU - Keuskamp, Joost A.
AU - Larsson, Madeleine
AU - Lindgren, Per Eric
AU - Mattiasson, Peter
AU - Solomonsson, Jane
AU - Sundberg, Carina
AU - Svensson, Bo H.
AU - Verhoeven, Jos T A
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - In three Scandinavian peatlands we studied to what extent plant and microbial community compositions are governed by local-scale microhabitat, with a special interest in the effect of aspect (i.e. exposition of slopes). Despite differences in solar irradiance between the south- and north-facing slopes, maximum temperature was elevated in the south-facing slopes at the most northern site only. Pore-water nutrient concentrations were not affected by aspect, yet dissolved organic carbon concentrations were higher in the south-facing microhabitats. This was likely caused by higher vascular plant biomass. Plant and microbial community composition clearly differed among sites. In all three sites, microhabitat (i.e. prevailing water-table depth) affected the plant and microbial community compositions. Aspect, however, did not affect community composition, even though microclimate significantly differed between the south- and the north-facing aspects at the northernmost site. Our results highlight the complex link between plant community composition, microbial community and environmental conditions, which deserves much more attention than currently in order to fully understand the effects of climate change on peatland ecosystem function.
AB - In three Scandinavian peatlands we studied to what extent plant and microbial community compositions are governed by local-scale microhabitat, with a special interest in the effect of aspect (i.e. exposition of slopes). Despite differences in solar irradiance between the south- and north-facing slopes, maximum temperature was elevated in the south-facing slopes at the most northern site only. Pore-water nutrient concentrations were not affected by aspect, yet dissolved organic carbon concentrations were higher in the south-facing microhabitats. This was likely caused by higher vascular plant biomass. Plant and microbial community composition clearly differed among sites. In all three sites, microhabitat (i.e. prevailing water-table depth) affected the plant and microbial community compositions. Aspect, however, did not affect community composition, even though microclimate significantly differed between the south- and the north-facing aspects at the northernmost site. Our results highlight the complex link between plant community composition, microbial community and environmental conditions, which deserves much more attention than currently in order to fully understand the effects of climate change on peatland ecosystem function.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84902329593&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/files/486582/5550_Robroek.pdf
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84902329593
SN - 1239-6095
VL - 19
SP - 195
EP - 208
JO - Boreal Environment Research
JF - Boreal Environment Research
IS - 3
ER -
