Effects of species identity and time-since-fire on the presence of cyanobacteria on leaf surfaces of shrubs in longleaf pine sandhills
Session Title
Poster Session 1
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Schafer, Ph.D.
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Leaf surfaces are often colonized by nonpathogenic microorganisms, which may have beneficial immune and metabolic relationships with plants. We investigated factors that influence the presence of cyanobacteria on leaf surfaces of shrub species in longleaf pine sandhills in South Carolina. To assess effects of species identity and time-since-fire, we measured stem and leaf characteristics of eight shrub species in burned sites (4 to 6 months post-fire) and of Gaylucassia dumosa and Sassafras albidum in unburned sites (2 years post-fire). We isolated bacteria from leaf surfaces and used 16S rRNA primers in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to screen for the presence of cyanobacteria. In burned sites, stem height, number of stems, leaf area, and specific leaf area (SLA) varied among species; Oxydendrum had the tallest and greatest number of stems, and Oxydendrum and Sassafras had the largest leaves. Cyanobacteria were present on Sassafras and Oxydendrum leaves in burned sites, which suggests that the presence of cyanobacteria may correlate with larger leaf surfaces and taller stems. With more area for colonization and increased access to light, Oxydendrum and Sassafras leaves may provide a suitable microhabitat for cyanobacteria. While Gaylussacia stem characteristics did not differ with time-since-fire, leaves were larger in unburned sites. Sassafras had more and taller stems and a lower SLA in unburned sites. Sassafras leaf surfaces in unburned sites also contained cyanobacteria, which indicates that changes in environmental factors over time after fire did not influence the presence of cyanobacteria on leaf surfaces.
Honors Thesis Committee
Jennifer L. Schafer, Ph.D., Victoria J. Frost, Ph.D., Kunsiri Grubbs, Ph.D.
Previously Presented/Performed?
Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting, Winston-Salem, NC, March 2023 | Winthrop University Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023.
Type of Presentation
Poster presentation
Grant Support?
Supported by the Winthrop University Research Council.
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
Effects of species identity and time-since-fire on the presence of cyanobacteria on leaf surfaces of shrubs in longleaf pine sandhills
Leaf surfaces are often colonized by nonpathogenic microorganisms, which may have beneficial immune and metabolic relationships with plants. We investigated factors that influence the presence of cyanobacteria on leaf surfaces of shrub species in longleaf pine sandhills in South Carolina. To assess effects of species identity and time-since-fire, we measured stem and leaf characteristics of eight shrub species in burned sites (4 to 6 months post-fire) and of Gaylucassia dumosa and Sassafras albidum in unburned sites (2 years post-fire). We isolated bacteria from leaf surfaces and used 16S rRNA primers in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to screen for the presence of cyanobacteria. In burned sites, stem height, number of stems, leaf area, and specific leaf area (SLA) varied among species; Oxydendrum had the tallest and greatest number of stems, and Oxydendrum and Sassafras had the largest leaves. Cyanobacteria were present on Sassafras and Oxydendrum leaves in burned sites, which suggests that the presence of cyanobacteria may correlate with larger leaf surfaces and taller stems. With more area for colonization and increased access to light, Oxydendrum and Sassafras leaves may provide a suitable microhabitat for cyanobacteria. While Gaylussacia stem characteristics did not differ with time-since-fire, leaves were larger in unburned sites. Sassafras had more and taller stems and a lower SLA in unburned sites. Sassafras leaf surfaces in unburned sites also contained cyanobacteria, which indicates that changes in environmental factors over time after fire did not influence the presence of cyanobacteria on leaf surfaces.
