Microbial Communities and Biogeochemical Functioning across Peatlands in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region of Canada: Implications for Reclamation and Management
Allingham, S. M., . 2023.
Abstract
Peatlands play an important role in global biogeochemical cycles and are essential for
multiple ecosystem functions. Understanding the environmental drivers of microbial
functioning and community structure can provide insights to enable effective and
evidence-based management. However, it remains largely unknown how microbial
diversity contributes to the functioning of belowground processes. Addressing this
gap in knowledge will provide a better understanding of microbial-mediated pro-
cesses in peatlands that are undergoing restoration or reclamation. This study
assessed the changes in microbial community diversity and structure as well as soil
function by measuring microbial respiration on a range of substrates from three natu-
ral fen types found in the Athabasca Oil Sands region of Alberta, Canada (a poor fen,
a hypersaline fen, and a tree-rich fen) and a nearby constructed fen undergoing recla-
mation following open pit mining. Overall, substrate induced respiration was signifi-
cantly higher in the constructed fen. Alpha diversity of fungi and prokaryotes was
highest in the tree-rich fen, and the composition of microbial communities was signif-
icantly different between fens. Both fungal and prokaryotic communities were
strongly related to pore water pH and temperature, with plant richness also contrib-
uting to the shape of fungal communities. In summary, microbial community structure
reflects the underlying differences in soil condition across different fens but plays
essential roles in the ecological functions of soil. These findings provide a new out-
look for the management of peatlands undergoing post-mining reclamation. Future
research on peatland reclamation should consider the dynamic interaction between
communities and ecosystem functionality, for which this study forms a useful
baseline.
Key Words
biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem functionality, microbial community, peatlands, reclamation
