Microbial co-occurrence network demonstrates spatial and climatic trends for global soil diversity

Despite recent research efforts to explore the co-occurrence patterns of diverse microbes within soil microbial communities, a substantial knowledge-gap persists regarding global climate influences on soil microbiota behaviour. Comprehending co-occurrence patterns within distinct geoclimatic groups is pivotal for unravelling the ecological structure of microbial communities, that are crucial for preserving ecosystem functions and services. Our study addresses this gap by examining global climatic patterns of microbial diversity. Using data from the Earth Microbiome Project, we analyse a meta-community co-occurrence network for bacterial communities. This method unveils substantial shifts in topological features, highlighting regional and climatic trends. Arid, Polar, and Tropical zones show lower diversity but maintain denser networks, whereas Temperate and Cold zones display higher diversity alongside more modular networks. Furthermore, it identifies significant co-occurrence patterns across diverse climatic regions. Central taxa associated with different climates are pinpointed, highlighting climate's pivotal role in community structure. In conclusion, our study identifies significant correlations between microbial interactions in diverse climatic regions, contributing valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of soil microbiota.

Predicting the potential distribution of a near-extinct avian predator on the Arabian Peninsula: implications for its conservation management

Species distribution models (SDMs) generate predicted distribution maps which can be used as effective tools for conservation purposes. The persistence of isolated populations at the margin of a large distributional area depends on local threats which may differ from those faced by the main population. Environmental predictors can indicate suitable areas for these species and, indirectly, evaluate the impact on peripheral populations due to fragmentation and isolation. The Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) is an Afro-tropical and Mediterranean polytypic species considered critically endangered (CR) in Arabian Peninsula by IUCN, but a lack of published information about its distribution persists. Here, we model the distribution of the Lanner Falcon in the Arabian Peninsula using nest-site data and map its core area and their habitat suitability using a robust algorithm with good prediction accuracy even at low sample sizes (MaxEnt). The predictive map suggests a potential distribution of the Lanner Falcons that runs from north to south along the eastern coast of the Red Sea. The Terrain Roughness Index contributed the most to the breeding range model predictions (57.6%), followed by isothermality (Bio3, 15.3%). The model suggests a tendency by Lanner Falcons to occupy areas with a low terrain complexity according to their behavioural patterns and breeding strategies. In addition, this falcon is highly sensitive to climate occupying high isothermal regions in order to avoid extreme heating events. Overall, predictive models indicate a narrow range of suitable environmental conditions for breeding as well restricted favourable areas during dispersal and migration. Thus, these small and fragmented populations are more likely prone to anthropogenic factors and must be buffered against them.