Microbial Observatories: Eukaryotic Microbial Communities of the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve

University Of Akron, Akron OH

Investigators

Abstract

A grant has been awarded to Drs. Peter Lavrentyev and Robert Duff of the University of Akron to examine taxonomic composition of planktonic protists in relation to their key functions at the NOAA Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (OWC NERR). Samples will be collected from four stations along the stream-Lake Erie transect at monthly intervals in conjunction with the ongoing long-term monitoring. Microbial community structure, distribution, and dynamics will be examined under different hydrologic and climatic conditions using molecular, digital video, flow-cytometry, and microscopic methods. This study will generate a library of protistan images and ribosomal DNA sequences which will contribute novel taxonomic and ecological data to the scientific community and publicly accessible databases. The taxonomic survey will be supplemented by field experiments, which will examine the effect of differences in microbial community composition on two functional aspects of the community: growth and grazing. Protists (unicellular eukaryotic microorganisms) play an important role in aquatic ecosystems by regulating bacterial and primary production and regenerating the bulk of inorganic nutrients but the relationship between their diversity and functions remains poorly understood. This study will increase our knowledge of microbial life in critical estuarine/coastal wetland environments and improve our ability to predict complex and dynamic microbial processes in the Great Lakes and the coastal ocean. On a yet broader scale, the study will provide new insights about the relationship between biodiversity and function in natural communities. Finally, this study will have an impact on the infrastructure of education within the PIs institutions and beyond. Students at UA and FIU involved in the project will experience a wide range of professional activities and will be involved in all aspects of the research enterprise. In addition, this project will provide information for the OWC NERR visitor center exhibit and thus contribute to the general public understanding of the importance of preserving biodiversity and estuarine/wetland environments. The results of this study will be invaluable in informing decisions on conservation and environmental management these important habitats that have become increasing threatened.