Composition Influences the Pathway but not the Outcome of the Metabolic Response of Bacterioplankton to Resource Shifts
2011

Bacterial Response to Resource Gradients

Sample size: 13 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Comte Jérôme, del Giorgio Paul A.

Primary Institution: Université du Québec à Montréal

Hypothesis

Community composition influences the pathways of response in bacterial communities, but not the metabolic outcome itself.

Conclusion

Community composition influences the pathways of response in bacterial communities, but not the metabolic outcome itself, which is driven by the environment.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study found that the response of bacterial communities to resource gradients is mediated by shifts in community structure.
  • Structural equation modeling revealed that both adjustment and replacement pathways operate in response to environmental changes.
  • Changes in community composition were linked to variations in bacterial metabolism, but not directly to changes in abundance.

Takeaway

This study shows that the types of bacteria in a community can change how they respond to different resources, but the overall effect on their metabolism is determined by the environment.

Methodology

The study used structural equation modeling to analyze the relationships between community structure, resource gradients, and bacterial metabolism across various aquatic transitions.

Limitations

The study's findings may not apply universally across all aquatic systems due to the specific conditions of the studied watershed.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025266

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication