Forest top canopy bacterial communities are influenced by elevation and host tree traits

• DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00565-6
• Publication Date: 2024-04-05T12:02:15Z
• Authors: Yiwei Duan; Andjin Siegenthaler; Andrew K. Skidmore; Anthony A. Chariton; Ivo Laros; Mélody Rousseau; G. Arjen De Groot
• Keywords: Phyllosphere; Temperate rainforest

Abstract Background The phyllosphere microbiome is crucial for plant health and ecosystem functioning. While host species play a determining role in shaping the microbiome, trees of same that are subjected to different environmental conditions can still exhibit large degrees variation their diversity composition. Whether these intra-specific variations composition be observed over broader expanse forest landscapes remains unclear. In this study, we aim assess top canopy bacterial communities between within tree temperate European forests, focusing on Fagus sylvatica (European beech) Picea abies (Norway spruce). Results We profiled diversity, composition, driving factors, discriminant taxa 211 two Veluwe National Parks, Netherlands Bavarian Forest Park, Germany. found were primarily shaped by species, existed beech spruce. showed there was core all examined, community varied with elevation, diameter at breast height, leaf-specific traits (e.g., chlorophyll P content). These factors also correlated relative abundance specific families. Conclusions our results underscored importance demonstrated substantial range species. Drivers have implications both individual level, where differed based traits, landscape drivers like certain highly plastic leaf potentially link processes. eventually close associations exist, consistent patterns emerging from critical