Structure and Function of Mycorrhizal Mat Communities at the H. J. Andrews LTER Microbial Observatory

俄勒冈州立大学的David Myrold、Peter Bottomley、Bruce Caldwell、Kermit Cromack和Joseph Spatafora博士获得了微生物观察站赠款，以研究与俄勒冈州成熟针叶林相关的菌根垫的微生物群落。研究地点将设在安德鲁斯实验森林，这是一个长期的生态研究地点。肉眼可以看到菌根垫，它们是由与树根有共生关系的真菌形成的：真菌为树木提供营养，如氮和磷，树木为真菌提供光合作用产生的糖。此外，菌根垫改变了土壤环境，可能建立了一个独特的微生物群落，也改变了土壤微生物的碳和养分循环活动。这项研究的目标是：(I)鉴定属于菌根垫群落的真菌、细菌和其他微生物，其中许多可能是科学上新发现的；以及(Ii)确定这些不同的微生物在该群落的功能中所起的作用。现代方法，如大容量DNA提取和测序，将与更传统的培养和活性测量技术相结合，以深入了解这一独特的微生物系统。这项研究将加深我们对针叶林生态系统的工作原理的了解，针叶林生态系统是动植物生物多样性的重要来源，是大气二氧化碳的潜在汇，对木材生产具有重要的经济意义。几名研究生将接受当代微生物生态学方面的培训，菌根垫的可见性质将通过年度培训向初中和高中教师介绍教室外的微生物世界。

A Microbial Observatories grant has been awarded to Drs. David Myrold, Peter Bottomley, Bruce Caldwell, Kermit Cromack, and Joseph Spatafora of Oregon State University to study the microbial communities of mycorrhizal mats associated with mature conifer stands in Oregon. The research sites will be located at the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest, which is a Long-term Ecological Research site. Mycorrhizal mats can be seen with the naked eye and are formed by fungi that have a symbiotic relationship with tree roots: the fungus provide the tree with nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and the tree supplies the fungus with sugars derived from photosynthesis. In addition, the mycorrhizal mats alter the soil environment and likely establish a unique microbial community that also alters the carbon and nutrient cycling activities of the soil microorganisms. The goals of this research are: (i) to identify the fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms that are part of the mycorrhizal mat community, many of which may be new to science; and (ii) to determine the roles that these different microorganisms play in the functioning of this community. Modern methods, such as high volume DNA extraction and sequencing, will be combined with more traditional culturing and activity measurement techniques to gain insights into this unique microbial system.This research will enhance our understanding of the workings of coniferous forest ecosystems, which are important sources of biodiversity of plants and animals, potential sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide, and economically important for timber production. Several graduate students will be trained in contemporary microbial ecology and the visible nature of the mycorrhizal mats will be used to introduce middle and high school teachers to the microbial world just outside their classrooms through annual training sessions.