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An Exploration into the Delicate Balance of Soil Microbial Community Interactions

Citation

Petersen, Kristen. (2016). An Exploration into the Delicate Balance of Soil Microbial Community Interactions. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/petersen_idaho_0089n_10979.html

Title:
An Exploration into the Delicate Balance of Soil Microbial Community Interactions
Author:
Petersen, Kristen
Date:
2016
Program:
Statistical Sciences
Subject Category:
Statistics; Ecology
Abstract:

This study assesses the bacterial and fungal communities within the Priest River Experimental Forest in northern Idaho. We employed multiple methods to test for significant impacts of seasonality, moisture level, and sample depth on the composition of the soil microbial communities, as well as explore how members within these communities interact. Abundance data were obtained using two different loci for both bacterial and fungal taxa, therefore, we were able to compare the communities captured. The environmental correlate results imply moisture level had a significant impact within both communities, while depth only significantly impacted the bacterial community. Hierarchical clustering was performed to identify microbes with similar interactions; however, there were no apparent patterns in ecological functionality to explain why the microbes were clustered. These findings indicate further analysis is required to enhance our grasp of the microbial structure between communities. Conclusions suggest that future analyses should use both respective regions to obtain a more complete snapshot of the community.

Description:
masters, M.S., Statistical Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2016
Major Professor:
Wiest, Michelle
Committee:
Lee, Stephen; Ross-Davis, Amy; Settles, Matthew
Defense Date:
2016
Identifier:
Petersen_idaho_0089N_10979
Type:
Text
Format Original:
PDF
Format:
application/pdf

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