The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay

The potential impact of climate change on eukaryotes, including humans, has been relatively well described. In contrast, the contribution and susceptibility of microorganisms to a changing climate have, until recently, received relatively less attention. In this review, the importance of microorgani...

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Published in:Life
Main Authors: Max Reinold, Hon Lun Wong, Fraser I. MacLeod, Julia Meltzer, April Thompson, Brendan P. Burns
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019
Subjects:
Q
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3390/life9030071
https://doaj.org/article/54f4f8d75b2a45cda417cb1e23bfbcc1
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spelling ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:54f4f8d75b2a45cda417cb1e23bfbcc1 2023-05-15T17:51:49+02:00 The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay Max Reinold Hon Lun Wong Fraser I. MacLeod Julia Meltzer April Thompson Brendan P. Burns 2019-09-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.3390/life9030071 https://doaj.org/article/54f4f8d75b2a45cda417cb1e23bfbcc1 EN eng MDPI AG https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/9/3/71 https://doaj.org/toc/2075-1729 2075-1729 doi:10.3390/life9030071 https://doaj.org/article/54f4f8d75b2a45cda417cb1e23bfbcc1 Life, Vol 9, Iss 3, p 71 (2019) climate change microorganisms under stress microbial mats Science Q article 2019 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.3390/life9030071 2022-12-31T00:14:32Z The potential impact of climate change on eukaryotes, including humans, has been relatively well described. In contrast, the contribution and susceptibility of microorganisms to a changing climate have, until recently, received relatively less attention. In this review, the importance of microorganisms in the climate change discourse is highlighted. Microorganisms are responsible for approximately half of all primary production on earth, support all forms of macroscopic life whether directly or indirectly, and often persist in “extreme” environments where most other life are excluded. In short, microorganisms are the life support system of the biosphere and therefore must be included in decision making regarding climate change. Any effects climate change will have on microorganisms will inevitably impact higher eukaryotes and the activity of microbial communities in turn can contribute to or alleviate the severity of the changing climate. It is of vital importance that unique, fragile, microbial ecosystems are a focus of research efforts so that their resilience to extreme weather events and climate change are thoroughly understood and that conservation efforts can be implemented as a response. One such ecosystem under threat are the evolutionarily significant microbial mats and stromatolites, such as those present in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Climate change models have suggested the duration and severity of extreme weather events in this region will increase, along with rising temperatures, sea levels, and ocean acidification. These changes could upset the delicate balance that fosters the development of microbial mats and stromatolites in Shark Bay. Thus, the challenges facing Shark Bay microbial communities will be presented here as a specific case study. Article in Journal/Newspaper Ocean acidification Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Life 9 3 71
institution Open Polar
collection Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles
op_collection_id ftdoajarticles
language English
topic climate change
microorganisms under stress
microbial mats
Science
Q
spellingShingle climate change
microorganisms under stress
microbial mats
Science
Q
Max Reinold
Hon Lun Wong
Fraser I. MacLeod
Julia Meltzer
April Thompson
Brendan P. Burns
The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay
topic_facet climate change
microorganisms under stress
microbial mats
Science
Q
description The potential impact of climate change on eukaryotes, including humans, has been relatively well described. In contrast, the contribution and susceptibility of microorganisms to a changing climate have, until recently, received relatively less attention. In this review, the importance of microorganisms in the climate change discourse is highlighted. Microorganisms are responsible for approximately half of all primary production on earth, support all forms of macroscopic life whether directly or indirectly, and often persist in “extreme” environments where most other life are excluded. In short, microorganisms are the life support system of the biosphere and therefore must be included in decision making regarding climate change. Any effects climate change will have on microorganisms will inevitably impact higher eukaryotes and the activity of microbial communities in turn can contribute to or alleviate the severity of the changing climate. It is of vital importance that unique, fragile, microbial ecosystems are a focus of research efforts so that their resilience to extreme weather events and climate change are thoroughly understood and that conservation efforts can be implemented as a response. One such ecosystem under threat are the evolutionarily significant microbial mats and stromatolites, such as those present in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Climate change models have suggested the duration and severity of extreme weather events in this region will increase, along with rising temperatures, sea levels, and ocean acidification. These changes could upset the delicate balance that fosters the development of microbial mats and stromatolites in Shark Bay. Thus, the challenges facing Shark Bay microbial communities will be presented here as a specific case study.
format Article in Journal/Newspaper
author Max Reinold
Hon Lun Wong
Fraser I. MacLeod
Julia Meltzer
April Thompson
Brendan P. Burns
author_facet Max Reinold
Hon Lun Wong
Fraser I. MacLeod
Julia Meltzer
April Thompson
Brendan P. Burns
author_sort Max Reinold
title The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay
title_short The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay
title_full The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay
title_fullStr The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay
title_full_unstemmed The Vulnerability of Microbial Ecosystems in a Changing Climate: Potential Impact in Shark Bay
title_sort vulnerability of microbial ecosystems in a changing climate: potential impact in shark bay
publisher MDPI AG
publishDate 2019
url https://doi.org/10.3390/life9030071
https://doaj.org/article/54f4f8d75b2a45cda417cb1e23bfbcc1
genre Ocean acidification
genre_facet Ocean acidification
op_source Life, Vol 9, Iss 3, p 71 (2019)
op_relation https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/9/3/71
https://doaj.org/toc/2075-1729
2075-1729
doi:10.3390/life9030071
https://doaj.org/article/54f4f8d75b2a45cda417cb1e23bfbcc1
op_doi https://doi.org/10.3390/life9030071
container_title Life
container_volume 9
container_issue 3
container_start_page 71
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