Ammonia exposure promotes algal biomass in an ombrotrophic peatland

Citation

Payne R, Jassey VEJ, Leith ID, Sheppard LJ, Dise NB & Gilbert D (2013) Ammonia exposure promotes algal biomass in an ombrotrophic peatland. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 57, pp. 936-938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.09.012

Abstract
Nitrogen pollution affects many peatlands with consequences for their biodiversity and ecosystem function. Microorganisms control nutrient cycling and constitute most of the biodiversity of peatlands but their response to nitrogen is poorly characterised and likely to depend on the form of deposition. Using a unique field experiment we show that ammonia exposure at realistic point source levels is associated with a general shift from heterotrophic (bacteria and fungi) to autotrophic (algal) dominance and an increase in total biomass. The biomass of larger testate amoebae increased, suggesting increased food supply for microbial predators. Results show the widespread impacts of N pollution and suggest the potential for microbial community-based bioindicators in these ecosystems.

Keywords
Nitrogen; Pollution impact; Bioindication; Euglenids; Desmids; Testate amoebae

Journal
Soil Biology and Biochemistry: Volume 57