Demographic and mutualistic responses of stream nitrogen fixers to nutrients

Lisa A. Kunza, Robert O. Hall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

N2-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric N2 gas to biologically available forms, yet N limits primary production in many ecosystems. Despite an abundant source of N, other elements may limit N input via N2-fixation in benthic environments. We examined how N, P, and the micronutrients Fe and Mo (cofactors of nitrogenase) might affect N 2-fixation. We used short-term nutrient additions to assess macronutrient effects on N2-fixation of intact epilithic biofilm in Ditch Creek, Wyoming (USA). Additions of NH4+, NO3 -, and PO43- at varying concentrations did not alter N2-fixation over 4 h. We assessed macro-and micronutrient effects on N2-fixation, biofilm biomass, and composition of the biofilm algal assemblage at Ditch, Spread, and Kimball Creeks, Wyoming, via 6-wk nutrient amendments with nutrient-diffusing substrata. Fe and Mo additions did not affect N2-fixation or biofilm biomass, but NO3- and PO4 3- altered the biofilm biomass, algal assemblage structure, and N2-fixation. N and P colimited biofilm biomass in Ditch Creek, and P limited biofilm biomass in Spread Creek. N2-fixation was inhibited by NO3- and stimulated by PO43-. Inhibition by NO3 - was stronger than stimulation by PO43-. Trends in accumulation of N2-fixers, mostly Epithemia sorex with N 2-fixing endosymbionts, corresponded to effects of nutrient additions on N2-fixation. The algal assemblage shifted from N 2-fixer dominance in control and P treatments to fewer N 2-fixers and increased biovolume of nonN2-fixing diatoms in the N and N+P treatments. N2-fixation/unit E. sorex biovolume was inhibited by NO3- and stimulated slightly by PO43-. A combination of demographic and mutualistic responses to nutrients altered N input via N2-fixation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)991-1004
Number of pages14
JournalFreshwater Science
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013

Keywords

  • algal assemblage dynamics
  • nitrogenase activity
  • nutrient limitation
  • nutrient releasing substrate
  • oligotrophic stream

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