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.
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