Aquatic Macrophytes Are Associated With Variation in Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Assemblages of Mountain Lakes
In aquatic systems, microbes likely play critical roles in biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem processes, but much remains to be learned regarding microbial biogeography and ecology. The microbial ecology of mountain lakes is particularly understudied. We hypothesized that microbial distribution am...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.777084/full |
| _version_ | 1828136695711662080 |
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| author | Ella Ide DeWolf William John Calder Joshua Grant Harrison Gregory Donald Randolph Benjamin Edward Noren Cynthia Weinig |
| author_facet | Ella Ide DeWolf William John Calder Joshua Grant Harrison Gregory Donald Randolph Benjamin Edward Noren Cynthia Weinig |
| author_sort | Ella Ide DeWolf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In aquatic systems, microbes likely play critical roles in biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem processes, but much remains to be learned regarding microbial biogeography and ecology. The microbial ecology of mountain lakes is particularly understudied. We hypothesized that microbial distribution among lakes is shaped, in part, by aquatic plant communities and the biogeochemistry of the lake. Specifically, we investigated the associations of yellow water lilies (Nuphar polysepala) with the biogeochemistry and microbial assemblages within mountain lakes at two scales: within a single lake and among lakes within a mountain range. We first compared the biogeochemistry of lakes without water lilies to those colonized to varying degrees by water lilies. Lakes with >10% of the surface occupied by water lilies had lower pH and higher dissolved organic carbon than those without water lilies and had a different microbial composition. Notably, cyanobacteria were negatively associated with water lily presence, a result consistent with the past observation that macrophytes outcompete phytoplankton and can suppress cyanobacterial and algal blooms. To examine the influence of macrophytes on microbial distribution within a lake, we characterized microbial assemblages present on abaxial and adaxial water lily leaf surfaces and in the water column. Microbial diversity and composition varied among all three habitats, with the highest diversity of microbes observed on the adaxial side of leaves. Overall, this study suggests that water lilies influence the biogeochemistry and microbiology of mountains lakes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:08:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2a80210704b64019b8bbf92817569f88 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:08:20Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a80210704b64019b8bbf92817569f882022-12-22T04:10:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2022-01-011210.3389/fmicb.2021.777084777084Aquatic Macrophytes Are Associated With Variation in Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Assemblages of Mountain LakesElla Ide DeWolf0William John Calder1Joshua Grant Harrison2Gregory Donald Randolph3Benjamin Edward Noren4Cynthia Weinig5Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United StatesDepartment of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United StatesDepartment of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United StatesGenome Technologies Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United StatesCellDrop Biosciences Inc., Laramie, WY, United StatesDepartment of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United StatesIn aquatic systems, microbes likely play critical roles in biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem processes, but much remains to be learned regarding microbial biogeography and ecology. The microbial ecology of mountain lakes is particularly understudied. We hypothesized that microbial distribution among lakes is shaped, in part, by aquatic plant communities and the biogeochemistry of the lake. Specifically, we investigated the associations of yellow water lilies (Nuphar polysepala) with the biogeochemistry and microbial assemblages within mountain lakes at two scales: within a single lake and among lakes within a mountain range. We first compared the biogeochemistry of lakes without water lilies to those colonized to varying degrees by water lilies. Lakes with >10% of the surface occupied by water lilies had lower pH and higher dissolved organic carbon than those without water lilies and had a different microbial composition. Notably, cyanobacteria were negatively associated with water lily presence, a result consistent with the past observation that macrophytes outcompete phytoplankton and can suppress cyanobacterial and algal blooms. To examine the influence of macrophytes on microbial distribution within a lake, we characterized microbial assemblages present on abaxial and adaxial water lily leaf surfaces and in the water column. Microbial diversity and composition varied among all three habitats, with the highest diversity of microbes observed on the adaxial side of leaves. Overall, this study suggests that water lilies influence the biogeochemistry and microbiology of mountains lakes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.777084/fullwater liliesmicrobesmacrophytesbiogeochemistryNuphar polysepalummountain lakes |
| spellingShingle | Ella Ide DeWolf William John Calder Joshua Grant Harrison Gregory Donald Randolph Benjamin Edward Noren Cynthia Weinig Aquatic Macrophytes Are Associated With Variation in Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Assemblages of Mountain Lakes Frontiers in Microbiology water lilies microbes macrophytes biogeochemistry Nuphar polysepalum mountain lakes |
| title | Aquatic Macrophytes Are Associated With Variation in Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Assemblages of Mountain Lakes |
| title_full | Aquatic Macrophytes Are Associated With Variation in Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Assemblages of Mountain Lakes |
| title_fullStr | Aquatic Macrophytes Are Associated With Variation in Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Assemblages of Mountain Lakes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aquatic Macrophytes Are Associated With Variation in Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Assemblages of Mountain Lakes |
| title_short | Aquatic Macrophytes Are Associated With Variation in Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Assemblages of Mountain Lakes |
| title_sort | aquatic macrophytes are associated with variation in biogeochemistry and bacterial assemblages of mountain lakes |
| topic | water lilies microbes macrophytes biogeochemistry Nuphar polysepalum mountain lakes |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.777084/full |
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