Contribution of neutral processes to the assembly of microbial communities on Phragmites australis leaf litter

Abstract

Phragmites australis is a remarkable aquatic plant known for its adaptability, wide ecological range and extensive presence in natural wetlands. When combined with its microbiome, it holds unique potential to enhance the overall functionality of wetland ecosystems. To fully harness this potential in both natural and constructed wetlands, it becomes crucial to understand the dynamics of decomposition regarding the substantial biomass generated by P. australis. However, our understanding of the selective and neutral processes that shape the microbial communities responsible for decomposing P. australis litter remains somewhat limited. In this context, our research reveals that the majority of microbial taxa inhabiting P. australis leaves and litter follow neutral distribution patterns, indicating they are less likely to be specifically adapted to the host plant or habitat. Their presence in the community primarily results from their prevalence in the broader metacommunity and source pool. Nonetheless, this should not be interpreted as these taxa being functionally unimportant or lacking close interactions with their host. Instead, the host environment does not differentially select them, and as a consequence, their distributions are shaped predominantly by neutral processes of dispersal and drift.