Warming-induced shifts in Antarctic soil microorganisms disrupt soil functioning

ABSTRACT: Because of severe abiotic limitations, Antarctic soils represent simplified ecosystems, where microorganisms are the principle drivers of nutrient cycling. This relative simplicity makes these ecosystems particularly vulnerable to perturbations, like global warming, and the Antarctic Peninsula is among the most rapidly warming regions on the planet. However, the consequences of the ongoing warming of Antarctica on microorganisms and the processes they mediate are unknown. Here, using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and qPCR, we report a number of highly consistent changes in microbial community structure and abundance across very disparate sub-Antarctic and Antarctic environments following three years of experimental field warming (+ 0.5-2°C). Specifically, we found significant increases in t

ORGANISM(S): environmental samples

SUBMITTER: Etienne Yergeau 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-22825 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress