Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology / Microbial ecology of the cryosphere (glacial and permafrost habitats): current knowledge

Microorganisms in cold ecosystems play a key ecological role in their natural habitats. Since these ecosystems are especially sensitive to climate changes, as indicated by the worldwide retreat of glaciers and ice sheets as well as permafrost thawing, an understanding of the role and potential of mi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Main Authors: Margesin, R., Collins, T.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Springer 2019
Subjects:
Ice
Online Access:https://resolver.obvsg.at/urn:nbn:at:at-ubi:3-11476
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-019-09631-3
https://diglib.uibk.ac.at/doi/10.1007/s00253-019-09631-3
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Summary:Microorganisms in cold ecosystems play a key ecological role in their natural habitats. Since these ecosystems are especially sensitive to climate changes, as indicated by the worldwide retreat of glaciers and ice sheets as well as permafrost thawing, an understanding of the role and potential of microbial life in these habitats has become crucial. Emerging technologies have added significantly to our knowledge of abundance, functional activity, and lifestyles of microbial communities in cold environments. The current knowledge of microbial ecology in glacial habitats and permafrost, the most studied habitats of the cryosphere, is reported in this review. Version of record