Soil aggregate isolation method affects interpretation of protistan community

Soil protists are major biotic forces driving microbial dynamics within aggregates. Interpretation of protistan spatial distribution and ecological processes in aggregates primarily relies on aggregate isolation methods. However, comparative studies illustrating how isolation methods influence protistan communities are lacking. Here, two isolation procedures, dry- and wet-sieving, were evaluated. The wet-sieving led to separation of dry mega-aggregates, which consequently altered aggregate size distribution and associated protistan communities. The variable influences of sieving methods on aggregate protists were dependent on soil type. However, the aggregate isolation method did not affect the prominent aggregate-effects on protistan communities and detection of dominant taxa. Collectively, our findings highlight the importance of isolation procedures for exploring the spatial heterogeneity of protists at the micro-level.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the impact of two isolation procedures on soil protist communities within aggregates, revealing that wet-sieving altered aggregate size distribution and associated protistan communities, with effects dependent on soil type. However, the isolation method did not affect the detection of prominent protist taxa within aggregates.