Massard Prairie Restoration and Soil Microbiome Succession

Authors

Jeffrey M. Shaver, University of Arkansas, Fort SmithFollow
Emily S. Bellis, Arkansas State UniversityFollow
Chizuko Iwaki, University of Arkansas, Fort SmithFollow
Jake Qualls, Arkansas State UniversityFollow
Jay Randolph, Ben Geren Golf Course, Sebastian CountyFollow
Jeremiah Smith, University of Arkansas, Fort SmithFollow

Keywords

microbiome, tallgrass prairie, restoration, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, soil microbiology

Abstract

We have initially sequenced soil microbial DNA from 4 restored and 4 virgin tallgrass prairie soil samples from Ben Geren Park and Massard Prairie (Fort Smith, AR), respectively. As expected, the soil microbiomes are distinct, with several lineages of nitrogen-fixing bacteria more common in virgin tall grass prairie. However, we predict that as restoration of tallgrass prairie in Ben Geren Park progresses, the soil microbiome of restored prairie will more closely mirror those of the virgin prairie.

Recommended Citation

Shaver, Jeffrey M.; Bellis, Emily S.; Iwaki, Chizuko; Qualls, Jake; Randolph, Jay; and Smith, Jeremiah (2020) "Massard Prairie Restoration and Soil Microbiome Succession," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 74, Article 5.
https://doi.org/10.54119/jaas.2020.7408
Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol74/iss1/5