Microbial extracellular enzyme activity with simulated climate change

It is critical to understand the consequences of environmental change for microbial regulation carbon and nutrient cycling. Specifically, understanding community traits, such as extracellular enzyme activity, can help inform cycling models address knowledge gaps. We analyzed data on activities litter decomposition from an 18-month experiment in which communities were reciprocally transplanted along a climate gradient Southern California. Communities desert, scrubland, grassland, pine–oak, subalpine ecosystems. aimed test how responded following transplantation those responses related rates. hypothesized that would specialize their native conditions, resulting higher when back into climate. investigated relationship between Vmax values, substrate mass loss, biomass well variation these variables across gradient. found little evidence specialization, there was rarely reduction functioning after new conditions. Moreover, observed differences not changes potential, although significant rates sites. These results suggest direct, physiological impacts are likely be important enzyme-mediated decomposition, but specialization will constrain response our system.