Climate change goes underground: effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on microbial community structure and activities in the rhizosphere
Date
2008
Authors
Drigo, B.
Kowalchuk, G.A.
van Veen, J.A.
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Journal article
Citation
Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2008; 44(5):667-679
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Abstract
General concern about climate change has led to growing interest in the responses of terrestrial ecosystems to elevated concentrations of CO(2) in the atmosphere. Experimentation during the last two to three decades using a large variety of approaches has provided sufficient information to conclude that enrichment of atmospheric CO(2) may have severe impact on terrestrial ecosystems. This impact is mainly due to the changes in the organic C dynamics as a result of the effects of elevated CO(2) on the primary source of organic C in soil, i.e., plant photosynthesis. As the majority of life in soil is heterotrophic and dependent on the input of plant-derived organic C, the activity and functioning of soil organisms will greatly be influenced by changes in the atmospheric CO(2) concentration. In this review, we examine the current state of the art with respect to effects of elevated atmospheric CO(2) on soil microbial communities, with a focus on microbial community structure. On the basis of the existing information, we conclude that the main effects of elevated atmospheric CO(2) on soil microbiota occur via plant metabolism and root secretion, especially in C3 plants, thereby directly affecting the mycorrhizal, bacterial, and fungal communities in the close vicinity of the root. There is little or no direct effect on the microbial community of the bulk soil. In particular, we have explored the impact of these changes on rhizosphere interactions and ecosystem processes, including food web interactions.
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Link to a related website: https://research.vu.nl/ws/files/2417860/217101.pdf, Open Access via Unpaywall
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Copyright 2008 Springer-Verlag