Studies of microbial community structure and function below ground in a managed upland grassland site at Sourhope Research Station

An upland grassland site was subjected to a range of techniques focused on the study of microbial community structure and function below ground. An overriding aim was to achieve an improved understanding of trophic interactions in the field, and apply innovative carbon tracking techniques to determine routes of carbon flow between different microbial groups. Stable isotopes proved to be a valuable experimental tool allowing the fate of plant photosynthate to be traced through the food web below ground. Established techniques for analysis of DNA and RNA were used to interrogate labelled biomass providing a unique in depth study of active microbial fractions. A key finding was the extensive role of mycorrhizal fungi in facilitating the flow of carbon into the soil microbial community. A number of novel techniques were developed which will assist in future studies of soil microbiology.