Successional development of the phototrophic community in biological soil crusts on coastal and inland dunes
- Author:
- Kammann S., Schiefelbein U., Dolnik C., Mikhailyuk T., Demchenko E., Karsten U. & Glaser K.
- Year:
- 2023
- Journal:
- Biology
- Pages:
- 12: 58 [26 p.]
- Url:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12010058
(1) Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are microecosystems consisting of prokaryotic and
eukaryotic microorganisms growing on the topsoil. This study aims to characterize changes in
the community structure of biocrust phototrophic organisms along a dune chronosequence in the
Baltic Sea compared to an inland dune in northern Germany. (2) A vegetation survey followed by
species determination and sediment analyses were conducted. (3) The results highlight a varying
phototrophic community composition within the biocrusts regarding the different successional stages
of the dunes. At both study sites, a shift from algae-dominated to lichen- and moss-dominated
biocrusts in later successional dune types was observed. The algae community of both study sites
shared 50% of the identified species while the moss and lichen community shared less than 15%.
This indicates a more generalized occurrence of the algal taxa along both chronosequences. The
mosses and lichens showed a habitat-specific species community. Moreover, an increase in the organic
matter and moisture content with advanced biocrust development was detected. The enrichment
of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the different biocrust types showed a similar relationship.
(4) This relation can be explained by biomass growth and potential nutrient mobilization by the
microorganisms. Hence, the observed biocrust development potentially enhanced soil formation and
contributed to nutrient accumulation.
Keywords: algae; biocrusts; coastal dunes; lichen; moss; nutrient content; phototroph community
composition; successional stages.
- Id:
- 34920
- Submitter:
- zdenek
- Post_time:
- Monday, 02 January 2023 11:43