Solubilization of Micronutrients Using Indigenous Microorganisms

Athukorala, A. D. S.

doi:10.1007/978-981-16-3840-4_21

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Increased soil moisture is likely to stimulate higher microbial growth and activity, which could result in increased nutrient demands and cycling (Ball et al, 2009; Smith, 2005), making nutrients, such as phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), and phosphates (PO 4 ), critical for sustaining microbial communities in the Windmill Islands (e.g., Cyanobacteria and Actinobacteria ) (Figures 2a & 3a). These nutrients are essential elements for primary production, photosynthetic reactions, and microbial physiology (Athukorala, 2021; Bate et al., 2008). Although heightened soil nutrients and moisture may be construed as a favorable trait within other terrestrial ecosystems (Borowik & Wyszkowska, 2016; Saetre & Stark, 2005), this may not be translatable to the distinctive Antarctic ecosystem, which hosts a biodiversity uniquely adapted to its harsh conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Relatively moist soils are important sites of mineral weathering of TiO 2 and P 2 O 5 and harbor higher concentrations of bioavailable nutrients, such as P and Mn (Bate et al., 2008; Goodeff et al., 2002). We identified P and Mn as important predictors of the photosynthetic phyla (Figures 2 & 3), possibly due to their roles in increasing photosynthetic rates via enhancement of chlorophyll content and enzymatic activities (Athukorala, 2021; Daghan, 2018; Panhwar et al., 2011). Heightened microbial activity alongside moisture surge has previously been observed in Antarctic soils, leading to enhanced nutrient mineralization and organic matter decomposition (Barrett et al., 2006; Geyer et al., 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of increasing soil moisture on Antarctic desert microbial ecosystems

Zhang,

Wong,

Czechowski

et al. 2024

Conservation Biology

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Overgeneralization and a lack of baseline data for microorganisms in high‐latitude environments have restricted the understanding of the microbial response to climate change, which is needed to establish Antarctic conservation frameworks. To bridge this gap, we examined over 17,000 sequence variants of bacteria and microeukarya across the hyperarid Vestfold Hills and Windmill Islands regions of eastern Antarctica. Using an extended gradient forest model, we quantified multispecies response to variations along 79 edaphic gradients to explore the effects of change and wind‐driven dispersal on community dynamics under projected warming trends. We also analyzed a second set of soil community data from the Windmill Islands to test our predictions of major environmental tipping points. Soil moisture was the most robust predictor for shaping the regional soil microbiome; the highest rates of compositional turnover occurred at 10–12% soil moisture threshold for photoautotrophs, such as Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, and Ochrophyta. Dust profiles revealed a high dispersal propensity for Chlamydomonas, a microalga, and higher biomass was detected at trafficked research stations. This could signal the potential for algal blooms and increased nonendemic species dispersal as human activities increase in the region. Predicted increases in moisture availability on the Windmill Islands were accompanied by high photoautotroph abundances. Abundances of rare oligotrophic taxa, such as Eremiobacterota and Candidatus Dormibacterota, which play a crucial role in atmospheric chemosynthesis, declined over time. That photosynthetic taxa increased as soil moisture increased under a warming scenario suggests the potential for competition between primary production strategies and thus a more biotically driven ecosystem should the climate become milder. Better understanding of environmental triggers will aid conservation efforts, and it is crucial that long‐term monitoring of our study sites be established for the protection of Antarctic desert ecosystems. Furthermore, the successful implementation of an improved gradient forest model presents an exciting opportunity to broaden its use on microbial systems globally.

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