DOI: 10.5061/dryad.bm56k
title: Data from: Redistribution of soil water by a saprotrophic fungus enhances carbon mineralization

description: The desiccation of upper soil horizons is a common phenomenon, leading to
 a decrease in soil microbial activity and mineralization. Recent studies
 have shown that fungal communities and fungal-based food webs are less
 sensitive and better adapted to soil desiccation than bacterial-based food
 webs. One reason for a better fungal adaptation to soil desiccation may be
 hydraulic redistribution of water by mycelia networks. Here we show that a
 saprotrophic fungus (Agaricus bisporus) redistributes water from moist
 (–0.03 MPa) into dry (–9.5 MPa) soil at about 0.3 cm⋅min−1 in single
 hyphae, resulting in an increase in soil water potential after 72 h. The
 increase in soil moisture by hydraulic redistribution significantly
 enhanced carbon mineralization by 2,800% and enzymatic activity by
 250–350% in the previously dry soil compartment within 168 h. Our results
 demonstrate that hydraulic redistribution can partly compensate water
 deficiency if water is available in other zones of the mycelia network.
 Hydraulic redistribution is likely one of the mechanisms behind higher
 drought resistance of soil fungi compared with bacteria. Moreover,
 hydraulic redistribution by saprotrophic fungi is an underrated pathway of
 water transport in soils and may lead to a transfer of water to zones of
 high fungal activity.
description: Amount of Redistributed
 waterAmount of redistributed
 water from chamber I to chamber II based on hydrogen stable isotope
 analyses (isotope mass spectrometer: delta V advantage, Thermo Fisher
 Scientific) of extracted water from collected soil samples of chamber II
 after deuterium-labeling of chamber I. Data is in relation to time after
 rewetting of chamber I and from all mesocosms of HR as well as control
 treatments (data used in Fig. 1).Carbon dioxide
 production ratesCarbon dioxide and
 13C-CO2 production rates based on efflux measurements using a infrared gas
 analyzer (LiCOR 820, Licor, USA) and an elemental analyzer (NA 1108, CE
 Instruments) – isotope ratio mass spectrometer (delta S, Finnigan MAT)
 linkage, respectively. Data is in relation to time after rewetting of
 chamber I and from all mesocosms of HR as well as control
 treatments.Cumulative carbon
 mineralization of labelled plant material in chamber IICumulative carbon
 mineralization of labelled plant material in chamber II interpolated from
 measured 13C-CO2 efflux values (see also Carbon dioxide production
 rates.csv). Data is in relation to time after rewetting of chamber I and
 from all mesocosms of HR as well as control treatments.Enzyme activity rates on
 soil surface of chamber IIEnzyme activity rates of
 N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) and cellobiohydrolase on soil surface of
 chamber II. Enzyme activite was measured using soil zymography with
 fluorogenic 4-methylumbelliferone-substrates. Data is in relation to time
 after rewetting of chamber I and the postion on the surface of chamber II
 (from 1-4 with increasing distance to the air gap). Values are given for
 all mesocosms of HR as well as control treatments.Volumetric water change
 in chamber IIVolumetric water change
 in chamber II as monitored by soil moisture sensors (ECH2O-10 moisture
 sensors, Decagon Devices Inc). Data is in relation to time after rewetting
 of chamber I for all mesocosms of HR as well as control
 treatments.Water potential of soil
 samples from chamber IIsoil water potential (
 as pF value) measured on collected soil samples from chamber II using the
 chilled mirror dewpoint method (WP4-T, Decagon Devices Inc.).Data is in
 relation to time after rewetting of chamber I and distance to the air gap
 (1=0-6.66 cm; 2= 6.66-13.33 cm; 3=13.33-20 cm). Values are given for all
 mesocosms of HR as well as control treatments.