Phylogenetics of Methylobacterium in Temperate Conifer Forests and Response to Wildfire-Type Stress
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Chris Marx (Mentor), University of Idaho; and Dr. Alexander Alleman (Mentor), University of Idaho
Additional Funding Sources
The research was supported by the NSF, Award Number 2320667.
Presentation Date
7-2024
Abstract
Temperate conifer forests are significant carbon sinks, offsetting as much as 30% of annual fossil fuel emissions. In the last three decades, there has been an increase in wildfire severity, leaving some forests desolate; while others quickly recover. There have been efforts to understand this difference, but little is known about how microbial ecology plays a role in forest recovery. We have isolated the genus Methylobacterium from the soil and needles of Red Cedars and Ponderosa Pines. Methylobacterium is a highly diverse genus of plant growth-promoting, stress-tolerant, methanol-consuming bacteria that exist within a variety of forest niches (soil, phyllosphere). To test the stress responses and community dynamics of this bacteria within a post-disturbance context, we first need to understand the phylogeny of this genus in this specific ecosystem. Following preliminary genetic analysis, we found significant inter-genus diversity in the soil, suggesting complex community dynamics. We will use this information as a starting point to test stress responses on unique strains/species and their community dynamics.
Reference List:
https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/mbio.03175-21Methylobact on all plants (has many references, is not a reference it's self
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaz9600 - Drought increase
https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/sciadv.abc0020 - increase in fires, and fire severity
Phylogenetics of Methylobacterium in Temperate Conifer Forests and Response to Wildfire-Type Stress
Temperate conifer forests are significant carbon sinks, offsetting as much as 30% of annual fossil fuel emissions. In the last three decades, there has been an increase in wildfire severity, leaving some forests desolate; while others quickly recover. There have been efforts to understand this difference, but little is known about how microbial ecology plays a role in forest recovery. We have isolated the genus Methylobacterium from the soil and needles of Red Cedars and Ponderosa Pines. Methylobacterium is a highly diverse genus of plant growth-promoting, stress-tolerant, methanol-consuming bacteria that exist within a variety of forest niches (soil, phyllosphere). To test the stress responses and community dynamics of this bacteria within a post-disturbance context, we first need to understand the phylogeny of this genus in this specific ecosystem. Following preliminary genetic analysis, we found significant inter-genus diversity in the soil, suggesting complex community dynamics. We will use this information as a starting point to test stress responses on unique strains/species and their community dynamics.
Reference List:
https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/mbio.03175-21Methylobact on all plants (has many references, is not a reference it's self
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaz9600 - Drought increase
https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/sciadv.abc0020 - increase in fires, and fire severity