RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Stabilizing role of seed banks and the maintenance of bacterial diversity
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2020.10.05.327387
DO 10.1101/2020.10.05.327387
A1 Nathan I. Wisnoski
A1 Jay T. Lennon
YR 2021
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/02/20/2020.10.05.327387.abstract
AB Coexisting species often exhibit negative frequency dependence due to mechanisms that promote population growth and persistence when rare. These stabilizing mechanisms can maintain diversity through interspecific niche differences, but also through life-history strategies like dormancy that buffer populations in fluctuating environments. However, there are few tests demonstrating how seed banks contribute to long-term community dynamics and the maintenance of diversity. Using a multi-year, high-frequency time series of bacterial community data from a north temperate lake, we documented patterns consistent with stabilizing coexistence. Bacterial taxa exhibited differential responses to seasonal environmental conditions, while seed bank dynamics helped maintain diversity over winter. Strong negative frequency dependence in rare, but metabolically active, taxa suggested a role for biotic interactions in promoting coexistence. Together, our results provide field-based evidence that niche differences and seed banks contribute to recurring community dynamics and the long-term maintenance of diversity in nature.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.