Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/I017097/1

Contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to carbon fluxes in grassland in response to climate manipulation

Principal Investigator:: Professor D Johnson, University of Aberdeen, Inst of Biological and Environmental Sci
Grant held at:: University of Aberdeen, Inst of Biological and Environmental Sci

ENRIs:: Global Change; Biodiversity
Science Topics:: Environmental Microbiology; Biogeochemical Cycles; Soil science; Climate & Climate Change

Abstract:: A large component of soil CO2 efflux is driven by 'autotrophic' respiration; i.e. the flux of carbon occurring directly from plant roots and indirectly from closely associated microorganisms. Among the most important groups of root-associated microbes in grassland are arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. These fungi form mutualistic symbioses with host plants and are entirely dependent on plant photosynthate for their energy. Despite this, our understanding of how AM fungi and the key carbon cycling activities they undertake respond to global climate change is poor, especially under field conditions. We will test the hypothesis that carbon flux to AM fungi will increase in response to increased temperature and but this will be dependent on water availability. We will further test whether climate manipulation increases the relative importance of AM fungal respiration to total soil CO2 efflux. The proposal capitalises on an existing large-scale transplant experiment in the Swiss Jura, in combination with an in situ 'pulse' of isotopically distinct carbon (i.e. 13C) to provide the first field-based assessment of the contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to soil CO2 efflux in response to climate manipulation.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £52,722

DI - Other Costs	Indirect - Indirect Costs	DA - Investigators	DA - Estate Costs	DI - Staff	DI - T&S	DA - Other Directly Allocated
£9,639	£17,352	£4,787	£3,034	£14,990	£2,533	£387

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