Plant genetic effects on soils under climate change

Abstract

Background In the face of climate change, shifts in genetic structure and composition of terrestrial plant species are occurring worldwide. Because different genotypes of these plant species support different soil biota and soil processes, shifts in genetics are likely to have cascading effects on ecosystems. Scope We explore plant genetic effects on soil function in the context of climate change, and selection by soils, soil biota and plant-soil feedbacks. We propose categories of genetically-based plant traits that should be prioritized in research on genetic-based effects on soil processes including plant productivity and C allocation, tissue quality, plant water-use, and rhizosphere mutualisms. Additionally, we posit that soil community responses to climate change should be considered in concert with plant genotype because of sensitivity of soil communities to climate. We use two case studies to highlight these points. Conclusions We argue that the effects of climate change as an agent of selection on plants may cascade to affect soils, and ultimately the structure, composition and function of ecosystems. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary potential of plant-soil linkages may help us understand and mitigate the extended consequences of global change for ecosystems worldwide. Accordingly, we conclude with experimental approaches for examining genetically-based plant-soil interactions across climate change gradients.Plant Soil (2014) 379:1-19 DOI 10.1007/s11104-013-1972-x Responsible Editor

Tree genetics strongly affect forest productivity, but intraspecific diversity–productivity relationships do not

“…; Fischer et al . ). In previous studies in cottonwood forests of the western USA, we have found that plant genotype similarity across a hybridizing complex is a strong predictor of major components of ecosystem carbon (Fischer et al .…”

“…; Fischer et al . ), and this diversity has predictable effects on ecological communities (e.g. Wimp et al .…”

“…; Fischer et al . ) and may represent an ideal system for examining genetic‐based BEF concepts. Genetic variation in naturally occurring genotypes of Populus spp.…”

Direct and indirect effects of climate change on soil microbial and soil microbial‐plant interactions: What lies ahead?

“…The consequences of interactions between plants, their associated microbial community, and climate change on ecosystem functions are still poorly understood ( Fig. 1; Fischer et al 2014, Mohan et al 2014.…”

“…Plant-microbial interactions are considered negative when the net effects of all soil organisms-including pathogens, symbiotic mutualists, and decomposersreduce plant performance, while interactions are considered positive when the benefits brought about by the soil community enhance plant performance such as biomass production and survival. Therefore, given their importance in defining ecosystem properties, understanding how soil microbe-microbe and soil microbe-plant interactions respond to climate change is a research priority that will shed light on important ecosystem functions such as soil carbon storage and net primary productivity (Ostle et al 2009, Berg et al 2010, Fischer et al 2014). …”