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1 |( h, b2 i+ i- O) j/ h8 bForests accumulate and store large amounts of carbon (C), and a sub& L: ]9 w+ w4 U* M) {7 l# e- R
stantial fraction of this stock is contained in deadwood. This transient pool is subject: Q( O1 d- X7 D; V4 \3 y6 l ?3 l
to decomposition by deadwood-associated organisms, and in this process it contrib. W) E+ ~9 p# J2 ^
utes to CO2 % p- ^9 Q j4 _/ Z. X6 Nemissions. Although fungi and bacteria are known to colonize dead- K% J7 s) ]$ t# ?" z
wood, little is known about the microbial processes that mediate carbon and nitro + i8 r% y0 g8 T0 `) `# Ygen (N) cycling in deadwood. In this study, using a combination of metagenomics, # Q$ }* O8 ?. `+ G- [5 hmetatranscriptomics, and nutrient flflux measurements, we demonstrate that the decom) B, I' f* z$ ~0 a! B
position of deadwood reflflects the complementary roles played by fungi and bacteria.2 `* e# _+ {0 j: h
Fungi were found to dominate the decomposition of deadwood and particularly its re ; d Y* s H1 r# Zcalcitrant fractions, while several bacterial taxa participate in N accumulation in dead Q& r/ h; ?* W) z! nwood through N fifixation, being dependent on fungal activity with respect to deadwood& C' H# o6 t7 i; q4 v
colonization and C supply. Conversely, bacterial N fifixation helps to decrease the con 2 y. S9 H) V% X+ |0 Ostraints of deadwood decomposition for fungi. Both the CO2 efflflux and N accumulation $ w; h( g$ v- W* B5 h. m# I. f* Lthat are a result of a joint action of deadwood bacteria and fungi may be signifificant for % m4 l; J$ `6 W; G# a* R1 d/ `nutrient cycling at ecosystem levels. Especially in boreal forests with low N stocks, dead6 {3 v0 a3 ~0 ]" m
wood retention may help to improve the nutritional status and fertility of soils.4 b4 o; }6 i' f; C/ r
u7 j Y) e8 T1 O$ A' k0 l5 b