Raphaël Gros

Secondary metabolites of Pinus halepensis alter decomposer organisms and litter decomposition during afforestation of abandoned agricultural zones

1. Over a century of agricultural abandonment across the Mediterranean region has favoured the installation of the pioneer expansionist species Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Miller). This species synthesizes a wide range of secondary metabolites that are partially released during needle decomposition , and which can thus affect the brown food chain. Litter decomposition is a key process connecting ecosystem structure and function, and involving microbial and faunal components. n2. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of chemical compounds from Aleppo pine needles on the litter decomposition process along a gradient of Mediterranean forest secondary succession. Using in situ litterbags, we compared the dynamics of decomposers, particularly the relative contributions of fungal and mesofauna biomass to litter mass loss (calculations based on the measured decomposer biomass, published fungal growth efficiency and mesofauna feeding rate), against the dynamics of secondary metabolites associated with decomposed needles in three successional stages (early, middle and late, i.e. pinewoods that were aged 10, 30 and over 60 years old). n3. Our first key finding was that fungi accounted for the largest portion of overall litter mass loss (60– 79%) and detritivorous mesofauna contributed to 8–12%. In the early stage of succession, fungal biomass after 6 months of decomposition was lower than in middle and late stages, and may be responsible for the delay in litter colonization by mesofauna. We linked this result to a clearly longer residence time for phenolic compounds in young pine forest, leading to an overall slowdown in the decomposition process. n4. Synthesis. Litter phenolic content emerged as a key functional trait for predicting litter decomposition , delaying the colonization of litter by decomposers in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. Another key finding is that the relative contributions of fungi and detritivores to needle mass loss were different between the successional stages. From the food-web perspective, the organic matter available for higher trophic levels thus remains unchanged beyond 30 years after pine colonization.

Allelochemicals of Pinus halepensis as Drivers of Biodiversity in Mediterranean Open Mosaic Habitats During the Colonization Stage of Secondary Succession

The Mediterranean region is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. However, over the last 50xa0years or so, the cessation of traditional farming has given way to strong afforestation at the expense of open habitats. Pinus halepensis Miller, known to synthesize a wide range of secondary metabolites, is a pioneer expansionist species colonizing abandoned agricultural land that present high species richness. Here, laboratory bioassays were used to study the potential impact of P. halepensis on plant diversity through allelopathy, and the role of microorganisms in these interactions. Germination and growth of 12 target species naturally present in fallow farmlands were tested according to concentration of aqueous extracts obtained from shoots of young pines (aged about 5xa0years), with or without the presence of soil microorganisms (autoclaved or natural soil). Under the highest concentrations and autoclaved soil, more than 80xa0% of target species were germination and/or growth-inhibited, and only two species were non-sensitive. Under more natural conditions (lower extracts concentrations and natural soil with microorganisms), only 50xa0% of species were still inhibited, one was non-sensitive, and five were stimulated. Thus, microorganisms alter the expression of allelochemicals released into the ecosystem, which highlights their key role in chemical plant-plant interactions. The results of allelopathic experiments conducted in the lab are consistent with the community patterns observed in the field. These findings suggest that allelopathy is likely to shape vegetation composition and participate to the control of biodiversity in Mediterranean open mosaic habitats.

Predicting soil quality indices with near infrared analysis in a wildfire chronosequence.

We investigated the power of near infrared (NIR) analysis for the quantitative assessment of soil quality in a wildfire chronosequence. The effect of wildfire disturbance and soil engineering activity of earthworms on soil organic matter quality was first assessed with principal component analysis of NIR spectra. Three soil quality indices were further calculated using an adaptation of the method proposed by Velasquez et al. [Velasquez, E., Lavelle, P., Andrade, M. GISQ, a multifunctional indicator of soil quality. Soil Biol Biochem 2007; 39: 3066-3080.], each one addressing an ecosystem service provided by soils: organic matter storage, nutrient supply and biological activity. Partial least squares regression models were developed to test the predicting ability of NIR analysis for these soil quality indices. All models reached coefficients of determination above 0.90 and ratios of performance to deviation above 2.8. This finding provides new opportunities for the monitoring of soil quality, using NIR scanning of soil samples.

Severe drought-induced community tolerance to heat wave. An experimental study on soil microbial processes

PurposeThe purposes of this study were to identify the influence of a severe drought period on the impact of a subsequent heat–drought disturbance on the microbial community of a Mediterranean agricultural soil and particularly to highlight the long-term effects on the microbial catabolic profiles.Materials and methodsWe performed an experiment in microcosms and applied the MicroResp™ method on soil microbial communities.Results and discussionA 21-day combined heat–drought disturbance had less impact on soil microbial communities pre-exposed to a 73-day severe drought than on those that were not pre-exposed. These differences were observed not only for biomass and physiological traits (basal respiration, qCO2), but also for catabolic microbial structure evolution during the recovery time.ConclusionsThese observations suggest that the physiological stress imposed by the initial severe drought changed the microbial catabolic structure or physiological state and favoured a portion of the microbial community best adapted to cope with the final heat–drought disturbance. Consequently, the initial severe drought may have induced a community tolerance to the subsequent heat wave. In this study, we also note that resilience was, more than resistance, an indicator of pre-exposure to stress. In the context of assessing the effects of extreme climatic events on soil microbial processes, these results suggest that future studies should take into account the historic stress of habitats and resilience parameters.

Additive or non-additive effect of mixing oak in pine stands on soil properties depends on the tree species in Mediterranean forests

This study investigated how oak abundance in pine stands (using relative Oak Basal Area %, OBA%) may modulate soil microbial functioning. Forests were composed of sclerophyllous species i.e. Quercus ilex mixed with Pinus halepensis Miller or of Q. pubescens mixed with P. sylvestris. We used a series of plots with OBA% ranging from 0 to 100% in the two types of stand (n=60) and both OLF and A-horizon compartments were analysed. Relations between OBA% and either soil chemical (C and N contents, quality of organic matter via solid-state NMR, pH, CaCO3) or microbial (enzyme activities, basal respiration, biomass and catabolic diversity via BIOLOG) characteristics were described. OBA% increase led to a decrease in the recalcitrant fraction of organic matter (OM) in OLF and promoted microbial growth. Catabolic profiles of microbial communities from A-horizon were significantly modulated in Q. ilex and P. halepensis stand by OBA% and alkyl C to carboxyl C ratio (characteristic of cutin from Q. ilex tissues) and in Q. pubescens and P. sylvestris stands, by OBA% and pH. In A-horizon under Q. ilex and P. halepensis stands, linear regressions were found between catabolic diversity, microbial biomass and OBA% suggesting an additive effect. Conversely, in A-horizon Q. pubescens and P. sylvestris stands, the relationship between OBA% and either cellulase activities, polysaccharides or ammonium contents, suggested a non-additive effect of Q. pubescens and P. sylvestris, enhancing mineralization of the OM labile fraction for plots characterized by an OBA% ranging from 40% to 60%. Mixing oak with pine thus favored microbial dynamics in both type of stands though OBA% print varied with tree species and consequently sustainable soil functioning depend strongly on the composition of mixed stands. Our study indeed revealed that, when evaluating the benefits of forest mixed stand on soil microbial functioning and OM turnover, the identity of tree species has to be considered.

Do litter-mediated plant-soil feedbacks influence Mediterranean oak regeneration? A two-year pot experiment

Background & AimsOak seedling establishment is difficult and may be partly explained by litter-mediated interactions with neighbors. Litter effects can be physical or chemical and result in positive or negative feedback effects for seedlings. Mediterranean species leaves contain high levels of secondary metabolites which suggest that negative litter effects could be important.MethodsSeedlings of Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens were grown for two years in pots with natural soil and litter inputs from 6 Mediterranean woody species, artificial litter (only physical effect) or bare soil.ResultsLitter types had highly different mass loss (41–80%), which correlated with soil organic C, total N and microbial activity. Litter of Q. pubescens increased soil humidity and oak seedlings aerial biomass. Litters of Cotinus coggygria and Rosmarinus officinalis, containing high quantities of phenolics and terpenes respectively, decomposed fast and led to specific soil microbial catabolic profiles but did not influence oak seedling growth, chemistry or mycorrhization rates.ConclusionsPhysical litter effects through improved soil humidity seem to be predominant for oak seedling development. Despite high litter phenolics content, we detected no chemical effects on oak seedlings. Litter traits conferring a higher ability to retain soil moisture in dry periods deserve further attention as they may be critical to explain plant-soil feedbacks in Mediterranean ecosystems.