How do climate warming, plant species richness and plant functional group affect ammonia oxidizing bacteria diversity and function in experimental grasslands?

How do climate warming, plant species richness and plant functional group affect ammonia oxidizing bacteria diversity and function in experimental grasslands? Malchair S. and Carnol M. Laboratory of Plant and Microbial Ecology Department of Sciences and Environmental Management University of Liege, Belgium Background: There is increasing evidence of diversity-function relationship and impact of warming for aboveground vegetation. Belowground effects of warming and plant species richness remain however largely unknown, although bacteria regulate many soil processes and some groups, like ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were, have been suggested highly sensitive to environmental stress. Objectives: 1. Investigation of the response of AOB richness, community composition and function to warming, plant species richness and functional group 2. Exploration of the AOB richness-function link Methods: Soil samples were taken at 2 depths from grassland model ecosystems with different species richness levels (1, 3, 9) and temperature treatments (ambient, ambient+3°C). Selected species belonged to 3 plant functional groups: forbs, legumes and grasses. AOB function: potential nitrification assay (shaken soil slurry method) AOB diversity: polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) Results: 1. All retrieved AOB sequences were Nitrosospira-like ones 2. Warming had no effect on AOB richness and function 3. Higher plant species richness leads to increased AOB richness and modified community structure. AOB function was increased only at lower depth under warming 4. No difference in AOB richness between the plant functional groups 5. AOB community structure was different and AOB function higher under legumes. 6. The AOB richness-function link was negative under legumes. Conclusions: 1. Plant species influenced AOB richness and community composition. Plant functional group seems to be more important that species richness. 2. Legumes may impact AOB diversity and function through ammonia availability