Understanding Microbiome Stability in a Changing World

Abstract

Microbiomes underpin biogeochemical processes, sustain the bases of food webs, and recycle carbon and nutrients. Thus, microbes are frontline players in determining ecosystem responses to environmental change. My research team and I investigate the causes and consequences of microbiome stability. Our primary objective is to understand the responses of complex microbiomes to stressors associated with environmental change. This work is important because Earth is changing rapidly and drastically, and these changes are expected to have serious consequences for ecosystems, their inhabiting organisms, and their microbiomes. Therefore, we aim to understand the repercussions of alterations to microbiome structure and functions and to use this information to predict the responses of microbiomes to stressors. This research is critical to prepare for, respond to, and potentially moderate environmental change. We anticipate that the results of our research will contribute toward these goals and will broadly inform management or manipulation of microbiomes toward desired functions.

Keywords: Centralia; disturbance ecology; diversity reservoir; dormancy; environmental change; microbial ecology; rare biosphere; stability; structure-function; temporal dynamics.

FIG 1

The Shade research team sampling soil above the coal seam fire, Centralia, PA, in October 2015.