Plant genotype controls wetland soil microbial functioning in response to sea-level rise

Abstract. Climate change can strongly alter soil microbial functioning via plant–microbe interactions, often with important consequences for ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling. Given the high degree of intraspecific trait variability in plants, it has been hypothesized that genetic shifts within plant species yield a large potential to control response interactions climate change. Here we examined if sea-level rise genotype interact affect communities an experimental coastal wetland system, using two known genotypes dominant salt-marsh grass Elymus athericus characterized by differences their sensitivity flooding stress – i.e., tolerant from low-marsh environments intolerant high-marsh environments. Plants were exposed range frequencies factorial mesocosm experiment, activity parameters (exo-enzyme litter breakdown) community structure assessed. Plant mediated effect on determined presence effects exo-enzyme activities belowground breakdown. Larger structure, enzyme activities, breakdown soils planted supported our general hypothesis depend variation. In conclusion, data suggest adaptive variation plants could suppress or facilitate communities. If this finding applies more generally wetlands, yields implications understanding ecosystem–climate feedbacks zone.