Distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of high Arctic and alpine permafrost-affected soil microbiomes ...

• Main Authors: Sannino, Ciro, Qi, Weihong, Rüthi, Joel, Stierli, Beat, Frey, Beat
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: ETH Zurich 2023
• Subjects: High Arctic; European alps; Metagenome; Functionality; Permafrost; Active layer; Arctic; Global warming; Greenland; permafrost
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000618893; http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/618893

Background: Global warming is affecting all cold environments, including the European Alps and Arctic regions. Here, permafrost may be considered a unique ecosystem harboring a distinct microbiome. The frequent freeze–thaw cycles occurring in permafrost-affected soils, and mainly in the seasonally active top layers, modify microbial communities and consequently ecosystem processes. Although taxonomic responses of the microbiomes in permafrost-affected soils have been widely documented, studies about how the microbial genetic potential, especially pathways involved in C and N cycling, changes between active-layer soils and permafrost soils are rare. Here, we used shotgun metagenomics to analyze the microbial and functional diversity and the metabolic potential of permafrost-affected soil collected from an alpine site (Val Lavirun, Engadin area, Switzerland) and a High Arctic site (Station Nord, Villum Research Station, Greenland). The main goal was to discover the key genes abundant in the active-layer and ... : Environmental Microbiomes, 18 (1) ...