Impact of inundation on soil microbiology

Abstract

Genetic sequencing as well as culture-based studies have revealed diverse aerobic and anaerobic microbes across a range of aquatic environments in floodplain wetlands. Hydrological conditions related to riverine inundation are a predominant factor determining the structure and function of soil bacterial communities in floodplain wetlands. Despite their complex mosaics of topography, landforms and aquatic habitats, some consistent response patterns are observed among soil bacterial communities with changing inundation patterns and history. Considering hydrological events and changes as a form of disturbance, Connell’s ‘intermediate disturbance hypothesis’ has been used to explain the observed bell-shaped response of soil microbial communities with varying hydrological conditions. Further application and testing of general ecological theories and hypotheses may help advance our understanding and predictive modelling capability for the dynamics of floodplain soil bacterial communities with changing hydrological conditions.