Article
Limnology
Phillip M. Bumpers, Amy D. Rosemond, David W. P. Manning, John S. Kominoski, Jonathan P. Benstead, Lee M. Demi
Summary: Streams store nutrients in organic matter (OM) stocks, but nutrient enrichment can reduce the storage of detritus-associated nutrients. A study tested the effects of nutrient-loading on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) storage in different types of organic matter in forest streams. The results showed that enrichment increased nutrient content in all organic matter types, but reduced storage in fine benthic organic matter (FBOM) and leaves. The changes in nutrient storage have implications for downstream processes and consumer dynamics.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Priscilla Le Mezo, Jerome Guiet, Kim Scherrer, Daniele Bianchi, Eric Galbraith
Summary: This study quantifies the cycling of nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron in the global ocean by commercially targeted marine fish, and assesses the impact of fishing activity on this cycling.
Article
Soil Science
P. M. Schleuss, M. Widdig, L. A. Biederman, E. T. Borer, M. J. Crawley, K. P. Kirkman, E. W. Seabloom, P. D. Wragg, M. Spohn
Summary: The addition of nitrogen and phosphorus changes the C:N ratio of dissolved organic matter, but not of soil microbial biomass. Nitrogen addition decreases non-symbiotic N-2 fixation and increases microbial N release, while phosphorus addition has minimal effects. Changes in substrate stoichiometry drive alterations in microbial N acquisition and release in grassland ecosystems.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dandan Gao, Shuguang Liu, Fei Gao, Chen Ning, Xiaohong Wu, Wende Yan, Andy Smith
Summary: This study investigates the impact of forest restoration on soil physio-chemical properties and the structure and function of soil micro-food web. The findings suggest that forest restoration increases soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, as well as the abundance of soil microorganisms. The availability of soil resources plays a crucial role in regulating the composition, structure, and stability of soil food webs. Nutrient limitation, particularly phosphorus limitation, is an important factor in determining the stability of soil food webs during forest restoration.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Taylor L. Price, Jennifer Harper, Steven N. Francoeur, Halvor M. Halvorson, Kevin A. Kuehn
Summary: Research suggests that autotroph-heterotroph microbial interactions exert bottom-up controls on energy and nutrient transfer in aquatic detrital-based food webs. This study found that litter-associated algal and fungal production rates increased with higher nutrient and light availability, while microbial phosphorus absorption efficiency varied across diets.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yang Xiang, Paul D. Quay, Rolf E. Sonnerup, Andrea J. Fassbender
Summary: The study finds that in the North Pacific and North Atlantic subtropical gyres, deep phosphate contributes about 60% of the total phosphorus supply. Dissolved organic matter and zooplankton excretion are important pathways for phosphorous export at these sites.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Maria Granitto, Maria Eugenia Lopez, Patricia Rodriguez
Summary: This study analyzed periphyton structure, elemental composition, and algal composition along an urban gradient in Ushuaia City. The results showed that periphyton stoichiometric ratios decreased with increased urban land use and that community structure was affected by urbanization. The findings suggest that there is no homeostatic balance in the periphyton community in sub-Antarctic lotic ecosystems impacted by urbanization.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhiwei Yan, Qiuyue Wang, Yang Li, Ling Wu, Junnan Wang, Bin Xing, Dan Yu, Ligong Wang, Chunhua Liu
Summary: Global warming and eutrophication have negative impacts on freshwater ecosystems by inhibiting the growth of submerged plants, which may lead to decreased stability of freshwater ecosystems in winter and spring. More research is needed to further understand the combined effects on water quality and growth characteristics of submerged plants.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Mayra P. D. Rulli, Ann-Kristin Bergstrom, Ryan A. Sponseller, Martin Berggren
Summary: This study investigates the impact of increased loading of dissolved organic matter on nutrient bioavailability in boreal freshwaters. The study found that the relative bioavailability of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus associated with terrestrial DOM is low in these waters. The study also highlights the seasonal variation in bioavailable organic nutrient pools and their links with temperature and hydrology.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kelsea N. Downs, Patrick T. Kelly, Alfredo Ascanio, Michael J. Vanni
Summary: The chemical composition and stoichiometry of vertebrate bodies change significantly during development, and this study quantifies the ontogenetic variation in 10 species of fish. The results show that there is relatively similar variation in body composition and ratios among species, and these trends are better reflected in relative size rather than age. Phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations increase rapidly in early development, while carbon and ratios of C:N, C:P, and N:P decrease. As fish grow, changes in body composition and ratios become less significant.
Article
Agronomy
Wenqi He, Hongyan Liu, Liang Shi, Mei Zhou, Yang Qi, Feng Liu, Xinrong Zhu, Pengwu Zhao, Changlin Xiang, Yang Shu
Summary: The accumulation of nutrient elements and changes in ecological stoichiometry in Larix sibirica were influenced by climate and soil factors. Decreasing mean annual precipitation resulted in an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus contents, a decrease in C:N and C:P ratios in leaves, and a decrease in C:N ratio in branches. Branch stoichiometry showed a stronger response than leaf stoichiometry.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nathan J. Smucker, Erik M. Pilgrim, Huiyun Wu, Christopher T. Nietch, John A. Darling, Marirosa Molina, Brent R. Johnson, Lester L. Yuan
Summary: Interest in developing periphytic diatom and bacterial indicators of nutrient effects is growing, but temporal variability can complicate relationships between indicators and nutrients. This study found that while nutrient concentrations varied with agriculture in watersheds, the variability of diatom and bacterial assemblages within sites remained consistent. Weekly low and high nutrient diatom and bacterial metrics were more strongly correlated with site mean nutrient concentrations over the sampling period, and correlations with TP concentrations were consistently strong throughout the study.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Caleb J. J. Robbins, David W. P. Manning, Halvor M. M. Halvorson, Beth C. C. Norman, Rebecca A. A. Eckert, Ada Pastor, Allyn K. K. Dodd, Jeremy Jabiol, Elliot Bastias, Alice Gossiaux, Andrew S. S. Mehring
Summary: Decomposing organic matter is a vital resource for aquatic ecosystems, providing fuel for their biogeochemical function and secondary production. However, the dynamics of detrital nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in aquatic ecosystems have been less explored compared to terrestrial ecosystems, despite their fundamental connection with microbial processes and ecosystem function. This study synthesized published time series data from stream ecosystems to analyze the nutrient dynamics of decomposing litter. The results showed that detritus contributed as a net source of N to the environment, regardless of the initial N content. On the other hand, the sink/source dynamics of P were more influenced by the initial P content, shifting from P sinks to net P mineralization after a certain level of mass loss. However, variations in N and P predictions indicated the importance of nonmicrobial factors such as invertebrate fragmentation. Overall, this analysis helps to bridge the gap between organic matter decomposition in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and provides insights for future research on detrital nutrient dynamics.
Article
Plant Sciences
Christopher J. Williamson, Thomas Turpin-Jelfs, Miranda J. Nicholes, Marian L. Yallop, Alexandre M. Anesio, Martyn Tranter
Summary: Glacier algae residing on the surface ice of the southwestern Greenland Ice Sheet show lower cellular nutrient content and elevated C:N and C:P ratios, indicating adaptation to oligotrophic environments. This lower nutrient requirement may aid the proliferation of glacier algal blooms in nutrient-poor cryospheric regions in a warming world. Up-scaling of observations suggests the potential for glacier algae to accumulate significant amounts of carbon and nitrogen within surface ice locations, confirming previous modeling estimates.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Nina M. D. Schiettekatte, Jordan M. Casey, Simon J. Brandl, Alexandre Merciere, Sam Degregori, Deron Burkepile, Jacey C. Van Wert, Mattia Ghilardi, Sebastien Villeger, Valeriano Parravicini
Summary: Consumers, particularly fishes on coral reefs, play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles by consuming and releasing essential elements. However, little is known about the rate and quality of coral reef fish egestion. This study quantifies the elemental contents of fish feces, estimates absorption efficiencies, and compares egestion and excretion rates for 51 coral reef fish species. The findings reveal that elemental concentrations in fish feces decrease minimally due to low absorption efficiencies, resulting in the egestion of substantial amounts of energy and nutrients. Furthermore, egestion contributes more nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, to the environment than excretion. This study highlights the importance of considering animal egestion in assessments of ecosystem functioning and food web structure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ricardo Gabriel Bandeira de Almeida, Marta Conde Lamparelli, Walter Kennedy Dodds, Davi Gasparini Fernandes Cunha
Summary: Water quality monitoring networks are crucial for providing data for management decisions, and this study analyzed and proposed improvements for the Sao Paulo State (Brazil) network to enhance its spatial representativeness.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Stilianos Fodelianakis, Alex D. Washburne, Massimo Bourquin, Paraskevi Pramateftaki, Tyler J. Kohler, Michail Styllas, Matteo Tolosano, Vincent De Staercke, Martina Schoen, Susheel Bhanu Busi, Jade Brandani, Paul Wilmes, Hannes Peter, Tom J. Battin
Summary: Glacier-fed streams (GFSs) are extreme and rapidly disappearing ecosystems that harbor diverse microbial communities. A novel analytical framework called phyloscore analysis identified clades with lower spatial phylogenetic turnover in sediment microbiomes across twenty GFSs in New Zealand. These clades, constituting up to 44% and 64% of community alpha-diversity and abundance, showed increased alpha-diversity and abundance as sediment chlorophyll a decreased, indicating their ecological success in GFS habitats.
Article
Environmental Sciences
P. Vinsova, T. J. Kohler, M. J. Simpson, I Hajdas, J. C. Yde, L. Falteisek, J. D. Zarsky, T. Yuan, V Tejnecky, F. Mercl, E. Hood, M. Stibal
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics of sediments from retreating Arctic glaciers and their organic matter sources and biogeochemical processes. The results indicate that subglacial sediments contain high amounts of bioavailable phosphorus but lack accessible carbon substrates, with organic matter mainly originating from terrestrial vascular plants and being influenced by resident microbial communities.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bianca M. Rodriguez-Cardona, Adam S. Wymore, Alba Argerich, Rebecca T. Barnes, Susana Bernal, E. N. Jack Brookshire, Ashley A. Coble, Walter K. Dodds, Hannah M. Fazekas, Ashley M. Helton, Penny J. Johnes, Sherri L. Johnson, Jeremy B. Jones, Sujay S. Kaushal, Pirkko Kortelainen, Carla Lopez-Lloreda, Robert G. M. Spencer, William H. McDowell
Summary: DOC and DON concentrations in streams show different trends in various biomes and the DOC:DON molar ratios increase over time. The recovery from atmospheric acid deposition leads to fundamental changes in the DOM pool, affecting biogeochemical processes and food webs in streams.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Walter K. Dodds, Gretchen Wichman, James P. Guinnip, Jessica R. Corman, John M. Blair
Summary: Riparian zones play a crucial role in transforming and retaining nutrients and sediment. This study investigates the direct influence of precipitation on material retention and transport in these zones. The findings suggest that vegetated riparian zones have a high capacity for retaining nitrate.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rachel M. Keen, Jesse B. Nippert, Pamela L. Sullivan, Zak Ratajczak, Brynn Ritchey, Kimberly O'Keefe, Walter K. Dodds
Summary: Woody encroachment has impacted grassland ecohydrology worldwide. In a tallgrass prairie in Kansas, USA, stream discharge has declined despite an increase in precipitation. Riparian vegetation, particularly woody species, primarily use deep soil water, leading to observed declines in stream flow.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tyler J. Kohler, Stilianos Fodelianakis, Gregoire Michoud, Leiela Ezzat, Massimo Bourquin, Hannes Peter, Susheel Bhanu Busi, Paraskevi Pramateftaki, Nicola Deluigi, Michail Styllas, Matteo Tolosano, Vincent Staercke, Martina Schoen, Jade Brandani, Ramona Marasco, Daniele Daffonchio, Paul Wilmes, Tom J. Battin
Summary: The study conducted on 101 glacier-fed streams from six major regions worldwide found that glacier shrinkage accelerates organic matter decomposition rates in benthic biofilms. Factors such as algal biomass, chytrid fungi parasitism, and stream water characteristics play important roles in promoting decomposition. Additionally, different bacterial classes possessing varying proportions of EEA-encoding genes may influence microbial associations with decomposition rates in glacier-fed streams.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Barbora Chattova, Tereza Cahova, Eveline Pinseel, Katerina Kopalova, Tyler J. Kohler, Filip Hrbacek, Bart van de Vijver, Daniel Nyvlt
Summary: This study investigated the diversity and community structure of terrestrial diatoms in the Ulu Peninsula, James Ross Island, Antarctica. It identified 97 taxa belonging to 27 genera, and revealed 8 distinct diatom assemblages. The study found that James Ross Island has a unique diatom flora with high species-level endemism.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Massimo Bourquin, Susheel Bhanu Busi, Stilianos Fodelianakis, Hannes Peter, Alex Washburne, Tyler J. Kohler, Leila Ezzat, Gregoire Michoud, Paul Wilmes, Tom J. Battin
Summary: This article provides a global inventory of cryospheric microbial communities and their genetic repertoires. The melting of the cryosphere is a significant consequence of climate change and affects microbial life and biogeochemistry. However, our understanding of microbiome structure and function in cryospheric ecosystems is still lacking systematization.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Susheel Bhanu Busi, Massimo Bourquin, Stilianos Fodelianakis, Gregoire Michoud, Tyler J. Kohler, Hannes Peter, Paraskevi Pramateftaki, Michail Styllas, Matteo Tolosano, Vincent De Staercke, Martina Schoen, Laura de Nies, Ramona Marasco, Daniele Daffonchio, Leila Ezzat, Paul Wilmes, Tom J. Battin
Summary: In glacier-fed streams, ecological windows of opportunity allow complex microbial biofilms to develop and transiently form the basis of the food web. Using metagenomics, this study reveals the metabolic strategies and key genomic underpinnings of adaptive traits that enable these biofilms to exploit environmental opportunities.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Leila Ezzat, Stilianos Fodelianakis, Tyler J. Kohler, Massimo Bourquin, Jade Brandani, Susheel Bhanu Busi, Daniele Daffonchio, Vincent De Staercke, Ramona Marasco, Gregoire Michoud, Emmy Oppliger, Hannes Peter, Paraskevi Pramateftaki, Martina Schon, Michail Styllas, Virginia Tadei, Matteo Tolosano, Tom J. Battin
Summary: Our study revealed that benthic biofilms in glacier-fed streams harbor distinct bacterial communities compared to the suspended bacterial assemblages in the streamwater. Selection processes were found to be shaping the differentiation of these bacterial communities, contrary to expectations given the high vertical mixing of water and bacterial cells in glacier-fed streams. Our research highlights the presence of a microbiome specific to benthic biofilms in glacier-fed streams, which are currently endangered by global warming.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Remote Sensing
Matteo Roncoroni, Davide Mancini, Tyler J. Kohler, Floreana Miesen, Mattia Gianini, Tom J. Battin, Stuart N. Lane
Summary: Microbial biofilms have been the focus of attention in recent decades, with a particular emphasis on mapping their spatial distributions and understanding their role in ecosystems. Satellite imagery has been widely used for these studies, but limitations in spatial resolution have hindered its effectiveness in river studies. Advances in sensor technology, particularly in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), now allow for high-resolution mapping of biofilms in extreme environments at a lower cost. This paper demonstrates the successful use of a low-cost UAV for mapping biofilms in an Alpine glacier forefield, providing both quality RGB images and spectral information at high temporal and spatial resolution.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jade Brandani, Hannes Peter, Susheel Bhanu Busi, Tyler J. Kohler, Stilianos Fodelianakis, Leila Ezzat, Gregoire Michoud, Massimo Bourquin, Paraskevi Pramateftaki, Matteo Roncoroni, Stuart N. Lane, Tom J. Battin
Summary: Glacier shrinkage leads to changes in proglacial terrain, creating pronounced environmental gradients. Despite harsh conditions, benthic biofilms in proglacial streams harbor astonishing biodiversity. The spatial dynamics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic photoautotroph diversity differ along the lateral and longitudinal chronosequences, suggesting environmental filtering as an underlying mechanism.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kristyna Vrbicka, Tyler J. Kohler, Lukas Falteisek, Jon R. Hawkings, Petra Vinsova, Marie Bulinova, Guillaume Lamarche-Gagnon, Stefan Hofer, Anne M. Kellerman, Amy D. Holt, Karen A. Cameron, Martina Schon, Jemma L. Wadham, Marek Stibal
Summary: The structure of suspended microbial assemblages in glacial meltwater varies over the course of a melt season, with the proportion of deglaciated catchment area having a greater influence on the microbial composition than absolute glacier size. The findings enhance our understanding of hydrological flowpaths, particulate entrainment, and transport.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Susheel Bhanu Busi, Laura de Nies, Paraskevi Pramateftaki, Massimo Bourquin, Tyler J. Kohler, Leila Ezzat, Stilianos Fodelianakis, Gregoire Michoud, Hannes Peter, Michail Styllas, Matteo Tolosano, Vincent De Staercke, Martina Schoen, Valentina Galata, Paul Wilmes, Tom Battin
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is found in both anthropogenically influenced ecosystems and pristine environments. This study explores the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes and associated pathways in epilithic biofilms within glacier-fed streams. Biosynthetic gene clusters related to antimicrobial resistance are observed in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes in these biofilms. Understanding the role of resistance in these environments provides insight into previously unknown mechanisms of cross-domain interactions.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)