Soil microbial community responses to US grassland management in continental and humid subtropical climates

In agricultural landscapes, perennial grasslands provide multiple ecosystem services, including support for belowground biodiversity. However, grassland management practices may effect soil microbial communities, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. We are investigating AM fungal responses to contrasting perennial grassland management: traditional (no nutrient input) diverse native grasslands and nutrient-fed monoculture grasslands of non-native grasses, in Florida (humid subtropical climate) and Oklahoma (dry continental climate). Preliminary results suggest nutrient-fed monoculture grasslands negatively affect AM fungal abundance, compared to diverse native grasslands. Results highlight concerns about intensively managed monoculture grasslands and belowground ecosystem functions and services.