Potential N2O emissions from the tanks of bromeliads suggest an additional source of N2O in the neotropics

Journal
Microbial ecology  
Volume
73
Issue
4
Start Page
751
End Page
754
Citation
Microbial Ecology 4 (73): 751-754 (2017-05-01)
Publisher DOI
10.1007/s00248-016-0903-9
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85001610114
Publisher
Springer
We studied the propensity of the tank bromeliad Werauhia gladioliflora to emit the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) at current and at increased N deposition levels in the range of predicted future scenarios. Potential production rates and net accumulation of N2O from tank substrate corresponded to N availability. N2O was produced in excess at all N levels due to a low level of N2O reductase activity which agreed well with a low abundance of N2O reducers compared to nitrite reducers. Transcriptional activation, however, indicated that expression of denitrification genes may be enhanced with increasing N supply eventually leading to more efficient N2O turnover with potential for adaptation of denitrifier communities to higher N levels. Our findings indicate that tank bromeliads may constitute a novel source of N2O in Neotropical forest canopies but further studies are required to understand the size and significance of in situ N2O fluxes from tank bromeliads to the environment.
Subjects
Bromeliads
Denitrification
Denitrifiers
Emissions
Nitrous oxide
DDC Class
600: Technik
More Funding Information
Funded by the Max Planck Society.