Files and links (2)
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Bark-dwelling methanotrophic bacteria decrease methane emissions from trees
Nature Communications, Vol.12, 2127
2021
PMID: 33837213
Metrics
3 File views/ downloads
94 Record Views
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Abstract
Tree stems are an important and unconstrained source of methane, yet it is uncertain whether internal microbial controls (i.e. methanotrophy) within tree bark may reduce methane emissions. Here we demonstrate that unique microbial communities dominated by methane-oxidising bacteria (MOB) dwell within bark of Melaleuca quinquenervia, a common, invasive and globally distributed lowland species. In laboratory incubations, methane-inoculated M. quinquenervia bark mediated methane consumption (up to 96.3 µmol m −2 bark d −1) and reveal distinct isotopic δ 13 C-CH 4 enrichment characteristic of MOB. Molecular analysis indicates unique microbial communities reside within the bark, with MOB primarily from the genus Methylomonas comprising up to 25 % of the total microbial community. Methanotroph abundance was linearly correlated to methane uptake rates (R 2 = 0.76, p = 0.006). Finally, field-based methane oxidation inhibition experiments demonstrate that bark-dwelling MOB reduce methane emissions by 36 ± 5 %. These multiple complementary lines of evidence indicate that bark-dwelling MOB represent a potentially significant methane sink, and an important frontier for further research.
Details
- Title
- Bark-dwelling methanotrophic bacteria decrease methane emissions from trees
- Creators
- Luke C Jeffrey (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityDamien Troy Maher (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityEleonora Chiri (Author) - Monash UniversityPok Man Leung (Author) - Monash UniversityPhilipp A Nauer (Author) - Monash UniversityStefan K Arndt (Author) - University of MelbourneDouglas Robert Tait (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityChris Greening (Author) - Monash UniversityScott G Johnston (Author) - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Nature Communications, Vol.12, 2127
- Grants
- Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle, DP210100096, Australian Research Council
- Identifiers
- 991012925200102368
- Copyright
- Open Access
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science; National Centre for Flood Research
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article