Land use intensification destabilizes stream microbial biodiversity and decreases metabolic efficiency

Urbanization and agricultural intensification can transform landscapes. Changes in land-use lead to increases storm runoff nutrient loadings which impair the health function of stream ecosystems. Microorganisms are an integral component Due sensitivity microorganisms perturbations, changes hydrology water chemistry may alter microbial activity structure. These shifts community dynamics metabolism quality, potentially impacting higher trophic levels. Here we examine effects associated on sediment communities by studying West Run Watershed (WRW) a mixed-land-use system Virginia, USA. Streams were sampled throughout growing season at six sites within WRW spanning different levels land use intensification. The proportion impacted urban development was positively correlated with temporal variation composition (adj R2 = 0.65), suggesting destabilize communities. Moreover, streams developed watersheds had increased metabolic quotient (20–50% higher), this indicates that have greater respiration per unit biomass signifies reduced efficiency. Further, our results suggest both directly indirectly via biomass. Taken together highly elevated conductivity, metal ion concentration, pH impose stress resulting efficiency respiration.