Control of carbon and nitrogen accumulation by vegetation in pristine bogs of southern Patagonia.

Peatlands are long-term sinks of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) that are exposed to anthropogenic pressure. This has often induced a vegetation shift from peat mosses towards increasing presence of vascular plants. However, the impact of this vegetation shift on the sink function of peatlands remains unclear. To address this research gap, we studied C and N accumulation in a Patagonian cushion bog where a shift to the predominance of vascular cushion plants is a natural phenomenon since millennia. For comparison, long-term accumulation and decomposition patterns in a pristine Patagonian Sphagnum bog were studied. Thereto, we determined recent and long-term rates of C and N accumulation, their within-site variability, and studied plant-macrofossils. These results were related to decomposition indicators (C/N ratio, humification index, stable isotopes) of the bog types. Despite differences in decomposition indicators, long-term rates of C accumulation were of similar magnitude in the Sphagnum (21.9 g C m-2 yr-1) and in the cushion bog (22.2 g C m-2 yr-1). N accumulation was significantly lower in the Sphagnum bog (0.35 g N m-2 yr-1) compared to the surprisingly high accumulation in the cushion bog (0.55 g N m-2 yr-1). Tephra depositions in the cushion bog about 1600 cal. Years ago presumably triggered the vegetation shift towards dominance of cushion plants by a fertilization effect. C accumulation rates during past decades in the upper decimeters of peat were four times higher in the cushion bog (245 g C m-2 yr-1) compared to the Sphagnum bog (64 g C m-2 yr-1), but substantially decreased since the appearance of cushion plants. High decomposition rates as indicated by decomposition indicators thus apparently offset the higher productivity of cushion plants in the long term. While cushion bogs appear to be effective N sinks, their C sink function may therefore be equal to Sphagnum bogs.

Global CO2 fertilization of Sphagnum peat mosses via suppression of photorespiration during the twentieth century.

Natural peatlands contribute significantly to global carbon sequestration and storage of biomass, most of which derives from Sphagnum peat mosses. Atmospheric CO2 levels have increased dramatically during the twentieth century, from 280 to > 400 ppm, which has affected plant carbon dynamics. Net carbon assimilation is strongly reduced by photorespiration, a process that depends on the CO2 to O2 ratio. Here we investigate the response of the photorespiration to photosynthesis ratio in Sphagnum mosses to recent CO2 increases by comparing deuterium isotopomers of historical and contemporary Sphagnum tissues collected from 36 peat cores from five continents. Rising CO2 levels generally suppressed photorespiration relative to photosynthesis but the magnitude of suppression depended on the current water table depth. By estimating the changes in water table depth, temperature, and precipitation during the twentieth century, we excluded potential effects of these climate parameters on the observed isotopomer responses. Further, we showed that the photorespiration to photosynthesis ratio varied between Sphagnum subgenera, indicating differences in their photosynthetic capacity. The global suppression of photorespiration in Sphagnum suggests an increased net primary production potential in response to the ongoing rise in atmospheric CO2, in particular for mire structures with intermediate water table depths.

Preliminary data on growth and enzymatic abilities of soil fungus Humicolopsis cephalosporioides at different incubation temperatures / Datos preliminares sobre el crecimiento y la capacidad enzimática del hongo de suelo Humicolopsis cephalosporioides a diferentes temperaturas de incubación

Background. Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp & Endl.) Krasser, known as 'lenga' is the most important timber wood species in southernmost Patagonia (Argentina). Humicolopsis cephalosporioides Cabral & Marchand is a soil fungus associated with Nothofagus pumilio forests, which has outstanding cellulolytic activity. However, there is no information about the ability of this fungus to use organic substrates other than cellulose, and its ability to produce different enzyme systems, as well as its response to temperature. Aims. The aim of this study was to examine the role of H. cephalosporioides in degradation processes in N. pumilio forests in detail by evaluating the in vitro ability of four isolates of this fungus to grow and produce different lytic enzyme systems, and their response to incubation temperature. Methods. The ability of the fungi to grow and produce enzyme systems was estimated by inoculating them on agar media with specific substrates, and the cultures were incubated at three temperatures. Results. A differential behavior of each strain in levels of growth and enzyme activity was found according to the medium type and/or incubation temperature. Conclusions. A intra-specific variability was found in H. cephalosporioides. Likewise a possible link between the saprotrophic role of this fungus in N. pumilio forests and the degradation of organic matter under stress conditions, such as those from frosty environments, was also discussed (AU)

Antecedentes. Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp & Endl) Krasser (N. pumilio), conocido como «lenga», es la especie maderable más importante en el extremo sur de Patagonia (Argentina). Humicolopsis cephalosporioides Cabral & Marchand es un hongo del suelo asociado a bosques de N. pumilio, que tiene una actividad celulolítica excepcional. Sin embargo, no hay información acerca de la capacidad de este hongo para utilizar otros sustratos orgánicos distintos de la celulosa, o para producir diferentes sistemas enzimáticos, así como su respuesta a la temperatura. Objetivos. El objetivo de este estudio fue profundizar en el rol que Humicolopsis cephalosporioides tiene en los procesos de degradación en los bosques de N. pumilio a través de la evaluación de la capacidad in vitro de 4 aislamientos de este hongo para crecer y producir diferentes sistemas enzimáticos líticos y su respuesta a la temperatura de incubación. Métodos. La capacidad de los hongos para crecer y producir sistemas enzimáticos se estimó a través de su inoculación sobre medios de agar con sustratos específicos, siendo incubados a 3 temperaturas. Resultados. Se observó un comportamiento diferencial de cada cepa en el crecimiento y la actividad enzimática de acuerdo con el tipo de medio o la temperatura de incubación. Conclusiones. Se observó variabilidad intraespecífica en Humicolopsis cephalosporioides. Asimismo, se discutió la posible relación entre el rol saprotrófico de este hongo en los bosques de N. pumilio y la degradación de la materia orgánica en condiciones estresantes, como las existentes en ambientes fríos (AU)

Preliminary data on growth and enzymatic abilities of soil fungus Humicolopsis cephalosporioides at different incubation temperatures.

BACKGROUND: Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp & Endl.) Krasser, known as "lenga" is the most important timber wood species in southernmost Patagonia (Argentina). Humicolopsis cephalosporioides Cabral & Marchand is a soil fungus associated with Nothofagus pumilio forests, which has outstanding cellulolytic activity. However, there is no information about the ability of this fungus to use organic substrates other than cellulose, and its ability to produce different enzyme systems, as well as its response to temperature. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the role of H. cephalosporioides in degradation processes in N. pumilio forests in detail by evaluating the in vitro ability of four isolates of this fungus to grow and produce different lytic enzyme systems, and their response to incubation temperature. METHODS: The ability of the fungi to grow and produce enzyme systems was estimated by inoculating them on agar media with specific substrates, and the cultures were incubated at three temperatures. RESULTS: A differential behavior of each strain in levels of growth and enzyme activity was found according to the medium type and/or incubation temperature. CONCLUSIONS: A intra-specific variability was found in H. cephalosporioides. Likewise a possible link between the saprotrophic role of this fungus in N. pumilio forests and the degradation of organic matter under stress conditions, such as those from frosty environments, was also discussed.

Zero methane emission bogs: extreme rhizosphere oxygenation by cushion plants in Patagonia.

• Vascular wetland plants may substantially increase methane emissions by producing root exudates and easily degradable litter, and by providing a low-resistance diffusion pathway via their aerenchyma. However, model studies have indicated that vascular plants can reduce methane emission when soil oxygen demand is exceeded by oxygen released from roots. Here, we tested whether these conditions occur in bogs dominated by cushion plants. • Root-methane interactions were studied by comparing methane emissions, stock and oxygen availability in depth profiles below lawns of either cushion plants or Sphagnum mosses in Patagonia. • Cushion plants, Astelia pumila and Donatia fascicularis, formed extensive root systems up to 120 cm in depth. The cold soil (< 10°C) and highly decomposed peat resulted in low microbial activity and oxygen consumption. In cushion plant lawns, high soil oxygen coincided with high root densities, but methane emissions were absent. In Sphagnum lawns, methane emissions were substantial. High methane concentrations were only found in soils without cushion plant roots. • This first methane study in Patagonian bog vegetation reveals lower emissions than expected. We conclude that cushion plants are capable of reducing methane emission on an ecosystem scale by thorough soil and methane oxidation.

Reduction of solar UV-B mediates changes in the Sphagnum capitulum microenvironment and the peatland microfungal community.

The influence of near-ambient and reduced solar UV-B radiation on a peatland microfungal community was assessed by exposing experimental plots to UV-selective filtration. Replicate plots were covered with special plastic films to effect treatments of near-ambient and attenuated solar UV-B. The microfungal community from the top 1 cm of Sphagnum capitulum in a Tierra del Fuego peatland was censused throughout three growing seasons, between 1999 and 2002. Sphagnum capitula under near-ambient UV-B were more compressed and held more water than capitula under reduced UV-B. This water had a greater conductivity and was more acidic under near-ambient UV-B, as would be expected with increased leaching from the Sphagnum leaves. Nine regularly occurring hyphal fungi from the peatland were identified, at least to genus. Over three field seasons, no treatment effect on total fungal colony abundance was recorded, but individual species abundance was increased (Mortierella alpina), decreased (Penicillium frequentans), or was unaffected (P. thomii, Aureobasidium) by near-ambient UV-B. Species richness was also slightly lower under near-ambient UV-B. These treatment differences were smaller than seasonal or inter-annual fluctuations in abundance and species richness. In a growth chamber experiment, lamp UV-B treatments indicated that realistic fluxes of UV-B can inhibit fungal growth in some species. In addition to this direct UV-B effect, we suggest that changes in the peatland fungal community under near-ambient solar UV-B may also result from increased nutrient and moisture availability in the Sphagnum capitulum. The subtle nature of the responses of peatland fungi to solar UV-B suggests that most fungal species we encountered are well adapted to current solar UV-B fluxes in Tierra del Fuego.

Six years of solar UV-B manipulations affect growth of Sphagnum and vascular plants in a Tierra del Fuego peatland.

• Tierra del Fuego is subject to increases in solar UV-B radiation in the austral spring and summer due to ozone depletion. • Plastic films were used to filter solar UV-B radiation over peatland plots through six field seasons, resulting in near-ambient (c. 90%) and reduced (c. 17%) solar UV-B treatments. • As in the first three field seasons of treatments, near-ambient UV-B caused reduced height growth but had no effect on biomass production of the moss Sphagnum magellanicum. It reduced leaf and rhizome growth of Tetroncium magellanicum. Height growth and morphology of Empetrum rubrum and Nothofagus antarctica were only affected by solar UV-B during the fourth to sixth field seasons. There was also a decrease in Tetroncium leaf nitrogen under near-ambient UV-B. • Growth of Sphagnum was less affected than that of most emergent vascular plants. This enabled the Sphagnum mat to engulf more Nothofagus, and limit the escape of Empetrum under near-ambient UV-B. Yet, differences in the response of species to solar UV-B were not expressed as changes in plant community composition.