Community composition of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea in soils under stands of red alder and Douglas-fir in Oregon
| Authors: | Stephanie A. Boyle-Yarwood, Peter J. Bottomley, David D. Myrold |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Pacific Northwest Research Station |
| Source: | Environmental Microbiology DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2008.01600.x |
Abstract
This study determined nitrification activity and nitrifier community composition in soils under stands of red alder (Alnus rubra) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) at two sites in Oregon. The H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, located in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, has low net N mineralization and gross nitrification rates. Cascade Head Experimental Forest, in the Coast Range, has higher net N mineralization and nitrification rates and soil pH is lower. Communities of putative bacterial [ammoniaoxidizing bacteria (AOB)] and archaeal [ammoniaoxidizing archaea (AOA)] ammonia oxidizers were examined by targeting the gene amoA, which codes for subunit A of ammonia monooxygenase. Nitrification potential was significantly higher in red alder compared with Douglas-fir soil and greater at Cascade Head than H.J. Andrews.