Novel approach to measuring microbe activity in wetted soil leads to better understanding of vulnerability, researchers report.
Novel approach to measuring microbe activity in wetted soil leads to better understanding of vulnerability, researchers report.
Using a novel method to detect microbial activity in biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, after they are wetted, a Penn State-led research team in a new study uncovered clues that will lead to a better understanding of the role microbes play in forming a living skin over many semi-arid ecosystems around the world. The tiny organisms — and the microbiomes they create — are threatened by climate change.
The researchers published their findings in Frontiers of Microbiology.
“Biocrusts currently cover approximately 12% of Earth’s terrestrial surface, and we expect them to decrease by about 25% to 40% within 65 years due to climate change and land-use intensification,” said team leader Estelle Couradeau, Penn State assistant professor of soils and environmental microbiology. “We hope this work can pave the way to understanding the microbial functions supporting biocrust resilience to the rapidly changing climate patterns and more frequent droughts.”
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Image: Graduate student Ryan Trexler collects cores of biocrust from the field before bringing them back to the lab to study. (Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons)
