Microbial functional diversity covaries with permafrost thaw‐induced environmental heterogeneity in tundra soil

• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13820
• Publication Date: 2017-07-17T15:26:40Z
• Authors: Mengting M. Yuan; Jin Zhang; Kai Xue; Liyou Wu; Ye Deng; Jie Deng; Lauren Hale; Xishu Zhou; Zhili He; Yunfeng Yang; Joy D. Van Nostrand; Edward A. G. Schuur; Konstantinos T. K...; Christopher R. Pe...; James R. Cole; James M. Tiedje; Yiqi Luo; Jizhong Zhou
• Keywords: Biogeochemical Cycle; Soil carbon; Terrestrial ecosystem; Biogeochemistry

Permafrost soil in high latitude tundra is one of the largest terrestrial carbon (C) stocks and highly sensitive to climate warming. Understanding microbial responses warming-induced environmental changes critical evaluating their influences on biogeochemical cycles. In this study, a functional gene array (i.e., geochip 4.2) was used analyze capacities communities collected from naturally degrading permafrost region Central Alaska. Varied thaw history reported be main driver plant differences across gradient minimally, moderately, extensively thawed sites. Compared with minimally site, number detected probes 15-65 cm depth profile at moderately sites decreased by 25% 5%, while community β-diversity increased 34% 45%, respectively, revealing richness but heterogeneity along progression. Particularly, site contained highest abundances many genes involved prokaryotic C degradation, ammonification, nitrification processes, lower fungal decomposition anaerobic-related genes. Significant correlations were observed between abundance vascular primary productivity, suggesting that growth species composition could co-evolving traits together composition. Altogether, study reveals complex potentials thaw-related provides information potential microbially mediated cycles ecosystems.