Seagrass derived organic matter influences biogeochemistry, microbial communities, and seedling biomass partitioning in seagrass sediments

Fraser, MW; Statton, J; Hovey, RK; Laverock, B; Kendrick, GA

Seagrass derived organic matter influences biogeochemistry, microbial communities, and seedling biomass partitioning in seagrass sediments

Fraser, MW Statton, J Hovey, RK Laverock, B Kendrick, GA

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Plant and Soil, 2016, 400 (1-2), pp. 133 - 146
Issue Date:: 2016-03-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Fraser, MW	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Statton, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hovey, RK	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Laverock, B	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kendrick, GA	en_US
dc.date.available	2015-10-26	en_US
dc.date.issued	2016-03-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Plant and Soil, 2016, 400 (1-2), pp. 133 - 146	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0032-079X	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/37820
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/37826
dc.description.abstract	© 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland. Aims: Seedling establishment is a crucial life history stage in seagrasses, yet factors that affect seedling health are poorly characterized. We investigated if organic matter (OM) additions to sediments provided nutritional benefits for seagrass seedlings through microbial degradation. Methods: We tested the effects of sedimentary OM additions on Posidonia australis seedlings growing in tank cultures. We focussed on sediment biogeochemical processes and microbial communities that may impact seedling growth and physiology. Results: Enrichment of sediments with OM changed microbial community composition (DNA-ARISA) and a significant increase in hydrolytic enzyme expression. Total seedling biomass did not differ between OM treatments, but above:belowground biomass increased with OM enrichment. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of seagrass leaves was lower with increasing OM. Conclusions: Seagrass derived OM has been considered a refractory store of carbon, yet here we show its deposition into sediments significantly alters belowground conditions. Remineralization of the OM changes both physical and chemical nature of sediments that leads to greater biochemical activity, change in microbial communities and greater investment into above ground photosynthetic biomass. The presence of OM may assist seagrass seedling survival during early development by enhancing root branching and stability in sediments, but is unlikely to provide nutritional benefits.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Plant and Soil	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s11104-015-2721-0	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Agronomy & Agriculture	en_US
dc.title	Seagrass derived organic matter influences biogeochemistry, microbial communities, and seedling biomass partitioning in seagrass sediments	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1-2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	400	en_US
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	06 Biological Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - C3 - Climate Change Cluster
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	1-2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	400	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland. Aims: Seedling establishment is a crucial life history stage in seagrasses, yet factors that affect seedling health are poorly characterized. We investigated if organic matter (OM) additions to sediments provided nutritional benefits for seagrass seedlings through microbial degradation. Methods: We tested the effects of sedimentary OM additions on Posidonia australis seedlings growing in tank cultures. We focussed on sediment biogeochemical processes and microbial communities that may impact seedling growth and physiology. Results: Enrichment of sediments with OM changed microbial community composition (DNA-ARISA) and a significant increase in hydrolytic enzyme expression. Total seedling biomass did not differ between OM treatments, but above:belowground biomass increased with OM enrichment. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of seagrass leaves was lower with increasing OM. Conclusions: Seagrass derived OM has been considered a refractory store of carbon, yet here we show its deposition into sediments significantly alters belowground conditions. Remineralization of the OM changes both physical and chemical nature of sediments that leads to greater biochemical activity, change in microbial communities and greater investment into above ground photosynthetic biomass. The presence of OM may assist seagrass seedling survival during early development by enhancing root branching and stability in sediments, but is unlikely to provide nutritional benefits.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/37820