Immigration of prokaryotes to local environments enhances remineralization efficiency of sinking particles: a metacommunity model
Resource
Marine Ecology Progress Series , 366, 1-14
Journal
Marine Ecology-Progress Series
Journal Volume
366
Pages
1-14
Date Issued
2008
Author(s)
Abstract
Processing of organic matter by heterotrophic prokaryotes regulates carbon sequestration in the ocean, and thus influences the global climate. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the remarkable diversity of oceanic prokaryotes with estimates of >1000 species or phylotypes in a single local habitat and up to 2 million in the global ocean. However, how this prokaryotic diversity and spatial heterogeneity in their compositions contribute to regional variations in major biogeochemical fluxes driven by heterotrophic prokaryotes is still unclear. A new theoretical model integrating the metacommunity concept with oceanic biogeochemistry demonstrates that increased production of particulate organic carbon (POC) leads to increased efficiency of remineralization of POC in the surface ocean, affecting the carbon export to deep waters. This is attributed to flexible shifts in the local prokaryotic community composition in response to changes in primary production, which is facilitated by the high degree of diversity in the metacommunity and moderate immigration rates of prokaryotes into the local community. By linking the spatial heterogeneity of microbial communities to their transient dynamics, a metacommunity concept will improve our understanding of the regional variability of biogeochemical processes in the oceans. © Inter-Research 2008.
Subjects
Bacteria; Biodiversity; Biological pump; Carbon cycle; Metacommunity; Theoretical model
Other Subjects
bacterium; biodiversity; biogeochemical cycle; carbon cycle; carbon sink; community composition; ecosystem modeling; heterotrophy; immigration; particulate organic carbon; primary production; prokaryote; remineralization; spatial variation; species diversity; Bacteria (microorganisms); Prokaryota
Type
journal article