Microbial spatial heterogeneity in microbiotic crusts in Colorado National Monument. II. Bacteria

Authors

Catherine Cole Wheeler, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio
Valerie R. Flechtner, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio
Jeffrey R. Johansen, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio

Abstract

Microbial spatial heterogeneity and bacterial composition of homogeneous surface soils showing evident microbiotic crust development located under Utah juniper canopies in Colorado National Monument were studied. Four distinct homogeneous sampling sites positioned along a 12-m transect were compared on the basis of bacterial density and taxa composition.

Bacterial densities showed a range differing by several orders of magnitude. In comparisons of adjacent soil samples or samples taken from two different sampling sites within close proximity, adjacent samples showed no more similarity to each other on the basis of bacterial density or taxa composition than did more widely separated samples. The bacterial composition of these soils included members of the genera Bacillus, Micrococcus, and Arthrobacter. Actinomycetes were also prevalent.

Recommended Citation

Wheeler, Catherine Cole; Flechtner, Valerie R.; and Johansen, Jeffrey R. (1993) "Microbial spatial heterogeneity in microbiotic crusts in Colorado National Monument. II. Bacteria," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 53: No. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol53/iss1/5