Title: Links between Microbial Population Dynamics and Nitrogen Availability in an Alpine Ecosystem
Abstract: EcologyVolume 80, Issue 5 p. 1623-1631 Article LINKS BETWEEN MICROBIAL POPULATION DYNAMICS AND NITROGEN AVAILABILITY IN AN ALPINE ECOSYSTEM David A. Lipson, David A. Lipson Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334 USASearch for more papers by this authorSteven K. Schmidt, Steven K. Schmidt Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334 USASearch for more papers by this authorRussell K. Monson, Russell K. Monson Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334 USASearch for more papers by this author David A. Lipson, David A. Lipson Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334 USASearch for more papers by this authorSteven K. Schmidt, Steven K. Schmidt Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334 USASearch for more papers by this authorRussell K. Monson, Russell K. Monson Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334 USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 July 1999 https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1999)080[1623:LBMPDA]2.0.CO;2Citations: 279Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Past studies of plant–microbe interactions in the alpine nitrogen cycle have revealed a seasonal separation of N use, with plants absorbing N primarily during the summer months and microbes immobilizing N primarily during the autumn months. On the basis of these studies, it has been concluded that competition for N between plants and microbes is minimized along this seasonal gradient. In this study, we examined more deeply the links between microbial population dynamics and plant N availability in an alpine dry meadow. We conducted a year-round field study and performed experiments on isolated soil microorganisms. Based on previous work in this ecosystem, we hypothesized that microbial biomass would decline before the plant growing season and would release N that would become available to plants. Microbial biomass was highest when soils were cold, in autumn, winter, and early spring. During this time, N was immobilized in microbial biomass. After snow melt in spring, microbial biomass decreased. A peak in the soil protein concentration was seen at this time, followed by peaks in soil amino acid and ammonium concentrations in late June. Soil protease rates were initially high after snow melt, decreased to below detection limits by midsummer, and partially recovered by late summer. Proteolytic activity in soil was saturated early in the growing season and became protein limited later in the summer. We concluded that the key event controlling N availability to alpine plants occurs after snow melt, when protein is released from the winter microbial biomass. This protein pulse provides substrate for soil proteases, which supply plants with amino acids during the growing season. On average, microbial biomass was lower in the summer than at other times, although the biomass fluctuated widely during the summer. 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Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-07-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 139
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