Investigating the Influence of Management Practices on the Assembly and Function of Microbial Communities
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Date
2024-01-10
Authors
Spencer, Max
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Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Microbial communities are integral to many ecosystem functions, including functions of interest to humans such as nutrient cycling and pathogenic infection. However, the influence of management intensity on microbial community assembly and functioning is poorly understood. High intensity management often reduces the overall diversity and biomass of fungi and bacteria; yet ecosystem function does not follow such a clear trend. Additionally, the timeframe in which management impacts microbial community and function is generally unknown. To address these gaps, I characterized microbial communities within logged and unlogged watersheds in the Western Cascade Mountain range and vineyards using different management intensities across a climate gradient in western Oregon, USA. Furthermore, I used wine fermentation as a proxy for microbial community functioning to measure functional differences between management intensities. I found that human management continued to have legacy effects upon microbial communities even five decades after cessation. I also found that management intensity had a clear influence on the organoleptic compounds found within Pinot noir wine samples. This work can deepen our understanding of the response of microbial communities and their functioning to human management.
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Keywords
Agriculture, Bacteria, Fungi, Management, Soil, Wine