Life Sciences Commons^™

Priming In The Microbial Landscape: Periphytic Algal Stimulation Of Litter-Associated Microbial Decomposers, Kevin A. Kuehn, Steven N. Francoeur, Robert H. Findlay, Robert K. Neely

Faculty Publications

Microbial communities associated with submerged detritus in aquatic ecosystems often comprise a diverse mixture of autotrophic and heterotrophic microbes, including algae, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. Recent studies have documented increased rates of plant litter mass loss when periphytic algae are present. We conducted laboratory and field experiments to assess potential metabolic interactions between natural autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial communities inhabiting submerged decaying plant litter of Typha angustifolia and Schoenoplectus acutus. In the field, submerged plant litter was either exposed to natural sunlight or placed under experimental canopies that manipulated light availability and growth of periphytic algae. Litter was collected …