Nitrogen fixation rates and cyanobacteria cover in a subarctic biological soil crust are enhanced by warming, wetting and light ...

• Main Author: University Of Iceland
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: MGnify 2022
• Subjects: Subarctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.15468/qa4utz; https://www.gbif.org/dataset/a09a542a-540b-4ea1-b144-244fb1df9f6e

biocrust, N-fixation, metagenomes, warming, microbAbstract textIntroduction. Areas of high latitude with volcanic andosol and winter snow cover commonly have a 3-5 mm thick biological soil crust (biocrust) characterized by the leafy liverwort Anthelia juratzkana. This biocrust can be long term or transient, especially as snow cover decreases. Although Antheliais the primary producer, the biocrust is a complex microbial community with substantial biomass and biological activities associated with bacteria and fungi. Available nitrogen is thought to bethe limiting nutrient.Methods. Acetylene reduction assays (ARA) were used as a proxy in assessing biocrust responses to temperature, moisture and light. Soil carbon and nitrogen isotopes were measured and shotgun metagenomic DNA and RNA libraries were sequenced. Decomposition rates were assessed using the tea bags index. Respiration was measured with a LI-6400 system.Results. ARA measurements yielded estimates of nitrogen fixation of 1-4 kg ha-1 yr-1. Nitrogen ...