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Lee JR, Shaw JD, Ropert-Coudert Y, Terauds A, Chown SL. Conservation features of the terrestrial Antarctic Peninsula. Ambio 2024; 53:1037-1049. [PMID: 38589654 PMCID: PMC11101391 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02009-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Conserving landscapes used by multiple stakeholder groups requires understanding of what each stakeholder values. Here we employed a semi-structured, participatory approach to identify features of value in the terrestrial Antarctic Peninsula related to biodiversity, science and tourism. Stakeholders identified 115 features, ranging from Adélie penguin colonies to sites suitable for snowshoeing tourists. We split the features into seven broad categories: science, tourism, historic, biodiversity, geographic, habitat, and intrinsic features, finding that the biodiversity category contained the most features of any one category, while science stakeholders identified the most features of any stakeholder group. Stakeholders have overlapping interests in some features, particularly for seals and seabirds, indicating that thoughtful consideration of their inclusion in future management is required. Acknowledging the importance of tourism and other social features in Antarctica and ensuring their integration into conservation planning and assessment will increase the likelihood of implementing successful environmental management strategies into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine R Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia.
| | - Justine D Shaw
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia
| | - Yan Ropert-Coudert
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Aleks Terauds
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia
- Integrated Digital East Antarctic Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy and Water, Kingston, TAS, 7050, Australia
| | - Steven L Chown
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
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2
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Zucconi L, Cavallini G, Canini F. Trends in Antarctic soil fungal research in the context of environmental changes. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01333-x. [PMID: 38652442 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01333-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Antarctic soils represent one of the most pristine environments on Earth, where highly adapted and often endemic microbial species withstand multiple extremes. Specifically, fungal diversity is extremely low in Antarctic soils and species distribution and diversity are still not fully characterized in the continent. Despite the unique features of this environment and the international interest in its preservation, several factors pose severe threats to the conservation of inhabiting ecosystems. In this light, we aimed to provide an overview of the effects on fungal communities of the main changes endangering the soils of the continent. Among these, the increasing human presence, both for touristic and scientific purposes, has led to increased use of fuels for transport and energy supply, which has been linked to an increase in unintentional environmental contamination. It has been reported that several fungal species have evolved cellular processes in response to these soil contamination episodes, which may be exploited for restoring contaminated areas at low temperatures. Additionally, the effects of climate change are another significant threat to Antarctic ecosystems, with the expected merging of previously isolated ecosystems and their homogenization. A possible reduction of biodiversity due to the disappearance of well-adapted, often endemic species, as well as an increase of biodiversity, due to the spreading of non-native, more competitive species have been suggested. Despite some studies describing the specialization of fungal communities and their correlation with environmental parameters, our comprehension of how soil communities may respond to these changes remains limited. The majority of studies attempting to precisely define the effects of climate change, including in situ and laboratory simulations, have mainly focused on the bacterial components of these soils, and further studies are necessary, including the other biotic components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
- National Research Council, Institute of Polar Sciences, Messina, Italy.
| | - Giorgia Cavallini
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Fabiana Canini
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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3
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Lu Q, Liu Y, Zhao J, Yao M. Successive accumulation of biotic assemblages at a fine spatial scale along glacier-fed waters. iScience 2024; 27:109476. [PMID: 38617565 PMCID: PMC11015461 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Glacier-fed waters create strong environmental filtering for biota, whereby different organisms may assume distinct distribution patterns. By using environmental DNA-based metabarcoding, we investigated the multi-group biodiversity distribution patterns of the Parlung No. 4 Glacier, on the Tibetan Plateau. Altogether, 642 taxa were identified from the meltwater stream and the downstream Ranwu Lake, including 125 cyanobacteria, 316 diatom, 183 invertebrate, and 18 vertebrate taxa. As the distance increased from the glacier terminus, community complexity increased via sequential occurrences of cyanobacteria, diatoms, invertebrates, and vertebrates, as well as increasing taxa numbers. The stream and lake showed different community compositions and distinct taxa. Furthermore, the correlations with environmental factors and community assembly mechanisms showed group- and habitat-specific patterns. Our results reveal the rapid spatial succession and increasing community complexity along glacial flowpaths and highlight the varying adaptivity of different organisms, while also providing insight into the ecosystem responses to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongqin Liu
- Center for Pan-Third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Jindong Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Meng Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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4
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Zhang E, Wong SY, Czechowski P, Terauds A, Ray AE, Benaud N, Chelliah DS, Wilkins D, Montgomery K, Ferrari BC. Effects of increasing soil moisture on Antarctic desert microbial ecosystems. Conserv Biol 2024:e14268. [PMID: 38622950 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Overgeneralization and a lack of baseline data for microorganisms in high-latitude environments have restricted the understanding of the microbial response to climate change, which is needed to establish Antarctic conservation frameworks. To bridge this gap, we examined over 17,000 sequence variants of bacteria and microeukarya across the hyperarid Vestfold Hills and Windmill Islands regions of eastern Antarctica. Using an extended gradient forest model, we quantified multispecies response to variations along 79 edaphic gradients to explore the effects of change and wind-driven dispersal on community dynamics under projected warming trends. We also analyzed a second set of soil community data from the Windmill Islands to test our predictions of major environmental tipping points. Soil moisture was the most robust predictor for shaping the regional soil microbiome; the highest rates of compositional turnover occurred at 10-12% soil moisture threshold for photoautotrophs, such as Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, and Ochrophyta. Dust profiles revealed a high dispersal propensity for Chlamydomonas, a microalga, and higher biomass was detected at trafficked research stations. This could signal the potential for algal blooms and increased nonendemic species dispersal as human activities increase in the region. Predicted increases in moisture availability on the Windmill Islands were accompanied by high photoautotroph abundances. Abundances of rare oligotrophic taxa, such as Eremiobacterota and Candidatus Dormibacterota, which play a crucial role in atmospheric chemosynthesis, declined over time. That photosynthetic taxa increased as soil moisture increased under a warming scenario suggests the potential for competition between primary production strategies and thus a more biotically driven ecosystem should the climate become milder. Better understanding of environmental triggers will aid conservation efforts, and it is crucial that long-term monitoring of our study sites be established for the protection of Antarctic desert ecosystems. Furthermore, the successful implementation of an improved gradient forest model presents an exciting opportunity to broaden its use on microbial systems globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden Zhang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sin Yin Wong
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul Czechowski
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Aleks Terauds
- Environmental Stewardship Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Angelique E Ray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Benaud
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Devan S Chelliah
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Wilkins
- Environmental Stewardship Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kate Montgomery
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belinda C Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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5
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Coleine C, Albanese D, Ray AE, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Stajich JE, Williams TJ, Larsen S, Tringe S, Pennacchio C, Ferrari BC, Donati C, Selbmann L. Metagenomics untangles potential adaptations of Antarctic endolithic bacteria at the fringe of habitability. Sci Total Environ 2024; 917:170290. [PMID: 38244622 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Survival and growth strategies of Antarctic endolithic microbes residing in Earth's driest and coldest desert remain virtually unknown. From 109 endolithic microbiomes, 4539 metagenome-assembled genomes were generated, 49.3 % of which were novel candidate bacterial species. We present evidence that trace gas oxidation and atmospheric chemosynthesis may be the prevalent strategies supporting metabolic activity and persistence of these ecosystems at the fringe of life and the limits of habitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Davide Albanese
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Angelique E Ray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Av. Reina Mercedes 10, E-41012 Sevilla, Spain; Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92507, USA; Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Timothy J Williams
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Stefano Larsen
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Susannah Tringe
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Christa Pennacchio
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Belinda C Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Claudio Donati
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Via al Porto Antico, 16128 Genoa, Italy
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6
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Williams TJ, Allen MA, Ray AE, Benaud N, Chelliah DS, Albanese D, Donati C, Selbmann L, Coleine C, Ferrari BC. Novel endolithic bacteria of phylum Chloroflexota reveal a myriad of potential survival strategies in the Antarctic desert. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0226423. [PMID: 38372512 PMCID: PMC10952385 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02264-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are dominated by nutrient-poor mineral soil and rocky outcrops. The principal habitat for microorganisms is within rocks (endolithic). In this environment, microorganisms are provided with protection against sub-zero temperatures, rapid thermal fluctuations, extreme dryness, and ultraviolet and solar radiation. Endolithic communities include lichen, algae, fungi, and a diverse array of bacteria. Chloroflexota is among the most abundant bacterial phyla present in these communities. Among the Chloroflexota are four novel classes of bacteria, here named Candidatus Spiritibacteria class. nov. (=UBA5177), Candidatus Martimicrobia class. nov. (=UBA4733), Candidatus Tarhunnaeia class. nov. (=UBA6077), and Candidatus Uliximicrobia class. nov. (=UBA2235). We retrieved 17 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that represent these four classes. Based on genome predictions, all these bacteria are inferred to be aerobic heterotrophs that encode enzymes for the catabolism of diverse sugars. These and other organic substrates are likely derived from lichen, algae, and fungi, as metabolites (including photosynthate), cell wall components, and extracellular matrix components. The majority of MAGs encode the capacity for trace gas oxidation using high-affinity uptake hydrogenases, which could provide energy and metabolic water required for survival and persistence. Furthermore, some MAGs encode the capacity to couple the energy generated from H2 and CO oxidation to support carbon fixation (atmospheric chemosynthesis). All encode mechanisms for the detoxification and efflux of heavy metals. Certain MAGs encode features that indicate possible interactions with other organisms, such as Tc-type toxin complexes, hemolysins, and macroglobulins.IMPORTANCEThe ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are the coldest and most hyperarid desert on Earth. It is, therefore, the closest analog to the surface of the planet Mars. Bacteria and other microorganisms survive by inhabiting airspaces within rocks (endolithic). We identify four novel classes of phylum Chloroflexota, and, based on interrogation of 17 metagenome-assembled genomes, we predict specific metabolic and physiological adaptations that facilitate the survival of these bacteria in this harsh environment-including oxidation of trace gases and the utilization of nutrients (including sugars) derived from lichen, algae, and fungi. We propose that such adaptations allow these endolithic bacteria to eke out an existence in this cold and extremely dry habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Williams
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle A. Allen
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angelique E. Ray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Benaud
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Devan S. Chelliah
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Davide Albanese
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Claudio Donati
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università, Viterbo, Italy
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Genova, Italy
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Belinda C. Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Cavalcante SB, da Silva AF, Pradi L, Lacerda JWF, Tizziani T, Sandjo LP, Modesto LR, de Freitas ACO, Steindel M, Stoco PH, Duarte RTD, Robl D. Antarctic fungi produce pigment with antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01308-y. [PMID: 38492163 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01308-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural pigments have received special attention from the market and industry as they could overcome the harm to health and the environmental issues caused by synthetic pigments. These pigments are commonly extracted from a wide range of organisms, and when added to products they can alter/add new physical-chemical or biological properties to them. Fungi from extreme environments showed to be a promising source in the search for biomolecules with antimicrobial and antiparasitic potential. This study aimed to isolate fungi from Antarctic soils and screen them for pigment production with antimicrobial and antiparasitic potential, together with other previously isolated strains A total of 52 fungi were isolated from soils in front of the Collins Glacier (Southeast border). Also, 106 filamentous fungi previously isolated from the Collins Glacier (West border) were screened for extracellular pigment production. Five strains were able to produce extracellular pigments and were identified by ITS sequencing as Talaromyces cnidii, Pseudogymnoascus shaanxiensis and Pseudogymnoascus sp. All Pseudogymnoascus spp. (SC04.P3, SC3.P3, SC122.P3 and ACF093) extracts were able to inhibit S. aureus ATCC6538 and two (SC12.P3, SC32.P3) presented activity against Leishmania (L.) infantum, Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanossoma cruzii. Extracts compounds characterization by UPLC-ESI-QToF analysis confirmed the presence of molecules with biological activity such as: Asterric acid, Violaceol, Mollicellin, Psegynamide A, Diorcinol, Thailandolide A. In conclusion, this work showed the potential of Antartic fungal strains from Collins Glacier for bioactive molecules production with activity against Gram positive bacteria and parasitic protozoas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Barros Cavalcante
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - André Felipe da Silva
- Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering Undergraduate Program, Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), Gurupi, TO, Brazil
| | - Lucas Pradi
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Tiago Tizziani
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Louis Pergaud Sandjo
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Lenon Romano Modesto
- Centre for Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Oliveira de Freitas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Mario Steindel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Patricia Hermes Stoco
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Rubens Tadeu Delgado Duarte
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Diogo Robl
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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Méheust Y, Delord K, Bonnet-Lebrun AS, Raclot T, Vasseur J, Allain J, Decourteillle V, Bost CA, Barbraud C. Human infrastructures correspond to higher Adélie penguin breeding success and growth rate. Oecologia 2024; 204:675-688. [PMID: 38459994 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05523-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities generate increasing disturbance in wildlife especially in extreme environments where species have to cope with rapid environmental changes. In Antarctica, while studies on human disturbance have mostly focused on stress response through physiological and behavioral changes, local variability in population dynamics has been addressed more scarcely. In addition, the mechanisms by which breeding communities are affected around research stations remain unclear. Our study aims at pointing out the fine-scale impact of human infrastructures on the spatial variability in Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colonies dynamics. Taking 24 years of population monitoring, we modeled colony breeding success and growth rate in response to both anthropic and land-based environmental variables. Building density around colonies was the second most important variable explaining spatial variability in breeding success after distance from skua nests, the main predators of penguins on land. Building density was positively associated with penguins breeding success. We discuss how buildings may protect penguins from avian predation and environmental conditions. The drivers of colony growth rate included topographical variables and the distance to human infrastructures. A strong correlation between 1-year lagged growth rate and colony breeding success was coherent with the use of public information by penguins to select their initial breeding site. Overall, our study brings new insights about the relative contribution and ecological implications of human presence on the local population dynamics of a sentinel species in Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Méheust
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Karine Delord
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Bonnet-Lebrun
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Thierry Raclot
- Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR7178 CNRS, 69037, Strasbourg, France
| | - Julien Vasseur
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Jimmy Allain
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Virgil Decourteillle
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Charles-André Bost
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Christophe Barbraud
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
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9
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Ortega MA, Cayuela L, Griffith DM, Camacho A, Coronado IM, del Castillo RF, Figueroa-Rangel BL, Fonseca W, Garibaldi C, Kelly DL, Letcher SG, Meave JA, Merino-Martín L, Meza VH, Ochoa-Gaona S, Olvera-Vargas M, Ramírez-Marcial N, Tun-Dzul FJ, Valdez-Hernández M, Velázquez E, White DA, Williams-Linera G, Zahawi RA, Muñoz J. Climate change increases threat to plant diversity in tropical forests of Central America and southern Mexico. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297840. [PMID: 38422027 PMCID: PMC10903834 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Global biodiversity is negatively affected by anthropogenic climate change. As species distributions shift due to increasing temperatures and precipitation fluctuations, many species face the risk of extinction. In this study, we explore the expected trend for plant species distributions in Central America and southern Mexico under two alternative Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) portraying moderate (RCP4.5) and severe (RCP8.5) increases in greenhouse gas emissions, combined with two species dispersal assumptions (limited and unlimited), for the 2061-2080 climate forecast. Using an ensemble approach employing three techniques to generate species distribution models, we classified 1924 plant species from the region's (sub)tropical forests according to IUCN Red List categories. To infer the spatial and taxonomic distribution of species' vulnerability under each scenario, we calculated the proportion of species in a threat category (Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered) at a pixel resolution of 30 arc seconds and by family. Our results show a high proportion (58-67%) of threatened species among the four experimental scenarios, with the highest proportion under RCP8.5 and limited dispersal. Threatened species were concentrated in montane areas and avoided lowland areas where conditions are likely to be increasingly inhospitable. Annual precipitation and diurnal temperature range were the main drivers of species' relative vulnerability. Our approach identifies strategic montane areas and taxa of conservation concern that merit urgent inclusion in management plans to improve climatic resilience in the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot. Such information is necessary to develop policies that prioritize vulnerable elements and mitigate threats to biodiversity under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Ortega
- Instituto Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (IMIB-CSIC), Mieres, Spain
- Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Cayuela
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, ESCET, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Daniel M. Griffith
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, EcoSs Lab, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | | | | | | | - Blanca L. Figueroa-Rangel
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - William Fonseca
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Costa Rica, Santa Lucía, Barva, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Cristina Garibaldi
- Departmento de Botánica, Universidad de Panamá, Campus Universitario Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Daniel L. Kelly
- Department of Botany, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Susan G. Letcher
- College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Jorge A. Meave
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luis Merino-Martín
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, ESCET, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Víctor H. Meza
- Instituto de Investigación y Servicios Forestales, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Campus Omar Dengo, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | | | - Miguel Olvera-Vargas
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico
| | | | - Fernando J. Tun-Dzul
- Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Chuburna de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Mirna Valdez-Hernández
- Herbario, Departamento Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Velázquez
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales, Instituto Universitario de Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Universidad de Valladolid (Campus de Palencia), Palencia, Spain
| | - David A. White
- Emeritus Faculty, Program in the Environment, Loyola University, New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | | | | | - Jesús Muñoz
- Real Jardín Botánico (RJB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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10
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González-Herrero S, Navarro F, Pertierra LR, Oliva M, Dadic R, Peck L, Lehning M. Southward migration of the zero-degree isotherm latitude over the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic Peninsula: Cryospheric, biotic and societal implications. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:168473. [PMID: 38007123 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The seasonal movement of the zero-degree isotherm across the Southern Ocean and Antarctic Peninsula drives major changes in the physical and biological processes around maritime Antarctica. These include spatial and temporal shifts in precipitation phase, snow accumulation and melt, thawing and freezing of the active layer of the permafrost, glacier mass balance variations, sea ice mass balance and changes in physiological processes of biodiversity. Here, we characterize the historical seasonal southward movement of the monthly near-surface zero-degree isotherm latitude (ZIL), and quantify the velocity of migration in the context of climate change using climate reanalyses and projections. From 1957 to 2020, the ZIL exhibited a significant southward shift of 16.8 km decade-1 around Antarctica and of 23.8 km decade-1 in the Antarctic Peninsula, substantially faster than the global mean velocity of temperature change of 4.2 km decade-1, with only a small fraction being attributed to the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). CMIP6 models reproduce the trends observed from 1957 to 2014 and predict a further southward migration around Antarctica of 24 ± 12 km decade-1 and 50 ± 19 km decade-1 under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively. The southward migration of the ZIL is expected to have major impacts on the cryosphere, especially on the precipitation phase, snow accumulation and in peripheral glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula, with more uncertain changes on permafrost, ice sheets and shelves, and sea ice. Longer periods of temperatures above 0 °C threshold will extend active biological periods in terrestrial ecosystems and will reduce the extent of oceanic ice cover, changing phenologies as well as areas of productivity in marine ecosystems, especially those located on the sea ice edge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi González-Herrero
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos, Switzerland; Antarctic Group, Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francisco Navarro
- Departmento de Matemática Aplicada a las TIC, ETSI de Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis R Pertierra
- Plant & Soil Sciences Department, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marc Oliva
- Department of Geography, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruzica Dadic
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos, Switzerland
| | - Lloyd Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, UKRI-NERC, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael Lehning
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos, Switzerland; School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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11
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Guo X, Yan Q, Wang F, Wang W, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Liu K. Habitat-specific patterns of bacterial communities in a glacier-fed lake on the Tibetan Plateau. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae018. [PMID: 38378869 PMCID: PMC10903976 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Different types of inlet water are expected to affect microbial communities of lake ecosystems due to changing environmental conditions and the dispersal of species. However, knowledge of the effects of changes in environmental conditions and export of microbial assemblages on lake ecosystems is limited, especially for glacier-fed lakes. Here, we collected water samples from the surface water of a glacier-fed lake and its two fed streams on the Tibetan Plateau to investigate the importance of glacial and non-glacial streams as sources of diversity for lake bacterial communities. Results showed that the glacial stream was an important source of microorganisms in the studied lake, contributing 45.53% to the total bacterial community in the lake water, while only 19.14% of bacterial community in the lake water was seeded by the non-glacial stream. Bacterial communities were significantly different between the glacier-fed lake and its two fed streams. pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, water temperature and total nitrogen had a significant effect on bacterial spatial turnover, and together explained 36.2% of the variation of bacterial distribution among habitats. Moreover, bacterial co-occurrence associations tended to be stronger in the lake water than in stream habitats. Collectively, this study may provide an important reference for assessing the contributions of different inlet water sources to glacier-fed lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuezi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qi Yan
- Center for the Pan-Third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenqiang Wang
- Center for the Pan-Third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongqin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Center for the Pan-Third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Keshao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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12
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Ramírez CF, Cavieres LA, Sanhueza C, Vallejos V, Gómez-Espinoza O, Bravo LA, Sáez PL. Ecophysiology of Antarctic Vascular Plants: An Update on the Extreme Environment Resistance Mechanisms and Their Importance in Facing Climate Change. Plants (Basel) 2024; 13:449. [PMID: 38337983 PMCID: PMC10857404 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Antarctic flowering plants have become enigmatic because of their unique capability to colonize Antarctica. It has been shown that there is not a single trait that makes Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica so special, but rather a set of morphophysiological traits that coordinately confer resistance to one of the harshest environments on the Earth. However, both their capacity to inhabit Antarctica and their uniqueness remain not fully explained from a biological point of view. These aspects have become more relevant due to the climatic changes already impacting Antarctica. This review aims to compile and update the recent advances in the ecophysiology of Antarctic vascular plants, deepen understanding of the mechanisms behind their notable resistance to abiotic stresses, and contribute to understanding their potential responses to environmental changes. The uniqueness of Antarctic plants has prompted research that emphasizes the role of leaf anatomical traits and cell wall properties in controlling water loss and CO2 exchange, the role of Rubisco kinetics traits in facilitating efficient carbon assimilation, and the relevance of metabolomic pathways in elucidating key processes such as gas exchange, nutrient uptake, and photoprotection. Climate change is anticipated to have significant and contrasting effects on the morphophysiological processes of Antarctic species. However, more studies in different locations outside Antarctica and using the latitudinal gradient as a natural laboratory to predict the effects of climate change are needed. Finally, we raise several questions that should be addressed, both to unravel the uniqueness of Antarctic vascular species and to understand their potential responses to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza F. Ramírez
- Laboratorio Cultivo de Tejidos Vegetales, Centro de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile; (C.F.R.); (V.V.)
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad-IEB, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7800003, Chile;
| | - Lohengrin A. Cavieres
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad-IEB, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7800003, Chile;
- ECOBIOSIS, Departamento de Botánica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Carolina Sanhueza
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal, Departamento de Botánica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción 4030000, Chile;
| | - Valentina Vallejos
- Laboratorio Cultivo de Tejidos Vegetales, Centro de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile; (C.F.R.); (V.V.)
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad-IEB, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7800003, Chile;
| | - Olman Gómez-Espinoza
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Biología Molecular Vegetal, Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile; (O.G.-E.) (L.A.B.)
| | - León A. Bravo
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Biología Molecular Vegetal, Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile; (O.G.-E.) (L.A.B.)
| | - Patricia L. Sáez
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad-IEB, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7800003, Chile;
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Biología Molecular Vegetal, Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile; (O.G.-E.) (L.A.B.)
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13
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Brooks ST, Jabour J, Hughes KA, Morgan F, Convey P, Polymeropoulos ET, Bergstrom DM. Systematic conservation planning for Antarctic research stations. J Environ Manage 2024; 351:119711. [PMID: 38070424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The small ice-free areas of Antarctica are essential locations for both biodiversity and scientific research but are subject to considerable and expanding human impacts, resulting primarily from station-based research and support activities, and local tourism. Awareness by operators of the need to conserve natural values in and around station and visitor site footprints exists, but the cumulative nature of impacts often results in reactive rather than proactive management. With human activity spread across many isolated pockets of ice-free ground, the pathway to the greatest reduction of human impacts within this natural reserve is through better management of these areas, which are impacted the most. Using a case study of Australia's Casey Station, we found significant natural values persist within the immediate proximity (<10 m) of long-term station infrastructure, but encroachment by physical disturbance results in ongoing pressures. Active planning to better conserve such values would provide a direct opportunity to enhance protection of Antarctica's environment. Here we introduce an approach to systematic conservation planning, tailored to Antarctic research stations, to help managers improve the conservation of values surrounding their activity locations. Use of this approach provides a potential mechanism to balance the need for scientific access to the continent with international obligations to protect its environment. It may also facilitate the development of subordinate conservation tools, including management plans and natural capital accounting. By proactively minimising and containing their station footprints, national programs can also independently demonstrate their commitment to protecting Antarctica's environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun T Brooks
- CSIRO Environment, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Julia Jabour
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kevin A Hughes
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - Fraser Morgan
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand; Te Pūnaha Matatini, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa; Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile
| | - Elias T Polymeropoulos
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Dana M Bergstrom
- Global Challenges Program, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa; Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Australia
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14
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Luarte T, Hirmas-Olivares A, Höfer J, Giesecke R, Mestre M, Guajardo-Leiva S, Castro-Nallar E, Pérez-Parada A, Chiang G, Lohmann R, Dachs J, Nash SB, Pulgar J, Pozo K, Přibylová PP, Martiník J, Galbán-Malagón C. Occurrence and diffusive air-seawater exchanges of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Fildes Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Sci Total Environ 2024; 908:168323. [PMID: 37949125 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
We report the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in seawater and air, and the air-sea dynamics through diffusive exchange analysis in Fildes Bay, King George Island, Antarctica, between November 2019 and January 30, 2020. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was the most abundant compound in both air and seawater with concentrations around 39 ± 2.1 pg m-3 and 3.2 ± 2.4 pg L-1 respectively. The most abundant PCB congener was PCB 11, with a mean of 3.16 ± 3.7 pg m-3 in air and 2.0 ± 1.1 pg L-1 in seawater. The fugacity gradient estimated for the OCP compounds indicate a predominance of net atmospheric deposition for HCB, α-HCH, γ-HCH, 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDE and close to equilibrium for the PeCB compound. The observed deposition of some OCs may be driven by high biodegradation rates and/or settling fluxes decreasing the concentration of these compounds in surface waters, which is supported by the capacity of microbial consortium to degrade some of these compounds. The estimated fugacity gradients for PCBs showed differences between congeners, with net volatilization predominating for PCB-9, a trend close to equilibrium for PCB congeners 11, 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, and 153, and deposition for PCB 180. Snow amplification may play an important role for less hydrophobic PCBs, with volatilization predominating after snow/glacier melting. As hydrophobicity increases, the biological pump decreases the concentration of PCBs in seawater, reversing the fugacity gradient to atmospheric deposition. This study highlights the potential impacts of climate change, through glacier retreat, on the biogeochemistry of POPs, remobilizing those compounds previously trapped within the cryosphere which in turn will transform the Antarctic cryosphere into a secondary source of the more volatile POPs in coastal areas, influenced by snow and ice melting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Luarte
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370251, Chile; GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago 8580745, Chile; Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Chile; Institute of Environment, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - Andrea Hirmas-Olivares
- GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago 8580745, Chile; Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Chile; Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370251, Chile
| | - Juan Höfer
- Escuela de Ciencias del Mar, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; Centro FONDAP de Investigación en Dinámica de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Valdivia, Chile
| | - Ricardo Giesecke
- Centro FONDAP de Investigación en Dinámica de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Valdivia, Chile; Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Independencia 631, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Mireia Mestre
- Centro FONDAP de Investigación en Dinámica de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Valdivia, Chile; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Oceanográfica COPAS COASTAL, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
| | - Sergio Guajardo-Leiva
- Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Chile; Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile; Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Universidad de Talca, Campus Lircay, Talca, Chile
| | - Eduardo Castro-Nallar
- Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Chile; Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile; Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Universidad de Talca, Campus Lircay, Talca, Chile
| | - Andrés Pérez-Parada
- Departamento de Desarrollo Tecnológico, Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República, Ruta 9 y Ruta 15, Rocha 27000, Uruguay
| | - Gustavo Chiang
- Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370251, Chile; Centro de Investigación para Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Jordi Dachs
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona 18-26, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain
| | - Susan Bengtson Nash
- Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program, Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - José Pulgar
- Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370251, Chile
| | - Karla Pozo
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, Chile; Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra P Přibylová
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Martiník
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Cristóbal Galbán-Malagón
- GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago 8580745, Chile; Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Chile; Institute of Environment, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
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15
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Varliero G, Lebre PH, Adams B, Chown SL, Convey P, Dennis PG, Fan D, Ferrari B, Frey B, Hogg ID, Hopkins DW, Kong W, Makhalanyane T, Matcher G, Newsham KK, Stevens MI, Weigh KV, Cowan DA. Biogeographic survey of soil bacterial communities across Antarctica. Microbiome 2024; 12:9. [PMID: 38212738 PMCID: PMC10785390 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01719-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antarctica and its unique biodiversity are increasingly at risk from the effects of global climate change and other human influences. A significant recent element underpinning strategies for Antarctic conservation has been the development of a system of Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions (ACBRs). The datasets supporting this classification are, however, dominated by eukaryotic taxa, with contributions from the bacterial domain restricted to Actinomycetota and Cyanobacteriota. Nevertheless, the ice-free areas of the Antarctic continent and the sub-Antarctic islands are dominated in terms of diversity by bacteria. Our study aims to generate a comprehensive phylogenetic dataset of Antarctic bacteria with wide geographical coverage on the continent and sub-Antarctic islands, to investigate whether bacterial diversity and distribution is reflected in the current ACBRs. RESULTS Soil bacterial diversity and community composition did not fully conform with the ACBR classification. Although 19% of the variability was explained by this classification, the largest differences in bacterial community composition were between the broader continental and maritime Antarctic regions, where a degree of structural overlapping within continental and maritime bacterial communities was apparent, not fully reflecting the division into separate ACBRs. Strong divergence in soil bacterial community composition was also apparent between the Antarctic/sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic mainland. Bacterial communities were partially shaped by bioclimatic conditions, with 28% of dominant genera showing habitat preferences connected to at least one of the bioclimatic variables included in our analyses. These genera were also reported as indicator taxa for the ACBRs. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data indicate that the current ACBR subdivision of the Antarctic continent does not fully reflect bacterial distribution and diversity in Antarctica. We observed considerable overlap in the structure of soil bacterial communities within the maritime Antarctic region and within the continental Antarctic region. Our results also suggest that bacterial communities might be impacted by regional climatic and other environmental changes. The dataset developed in this study provides a comprehensive baseline that will provide a valuable tool for biodiversity conservation efforts on the continent. Further studies are clearly required, and we emphasize the need for more extensive campaigns to systematically sample and characterize Antarctic and sub-Antarctic soil microbial communities. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Varliero
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
- Rhizosphere Processes Group, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Pedro H Lebre
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Byron Adams
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
- Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Steven L Chown
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VA, 3800, Australia
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa
- Biodiversity of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile
| | - Paul G Dennis
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Dandan Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Belinda Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Beat Frey
- Rhizosphere Processes Group, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Ian D Hogg
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Polar Knowledge Canada, Cambridge Bay, NU, Canada
| | - David W Hopkins
- SRUC - Scotland's Rural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, Scotland, UK
| | - Weidong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Thulani Makhalanyane
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Gwynneth Matcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Kevin K Newsham
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Mark I Stevens
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, Earth and Biological Sciences, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Katherine V Weigh
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Don A Cowan
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
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16
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Rosa KKDA, Perondi C, Lorenz JL, Auger JD, Cazaroto P, Petsch C, Siqueira RG, Simões JC, Vieira R. Glacier fluctuations and a proglacial evolution in King George Bay (King George Island), Antarctica, since 1980 decade. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20230624. [PMID: 38126381 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320230624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the glacier shrinkage and recent proglacial environment in King George Bay, Antarctica, since 1988 in response to climate change. Remote sensing data (SPOT, Sentinel, Landsat and Planet Scope images) were applied to glacial landforms and ice-marginal fluctuations mapping. Annual mean near-surface air temperature reanalysis solutions from ERA-Interim were analyzed. Moraines and glaciofluvial landforms were identified. The Ana Northern Glacier has the highest retreat value (3.64 km) (and area loss of 31%) in response to higher depth in frontal ice-margin and reveal ocean-glacier linkages. The Ana South Glacier changed from a tidewater glacier to land-terminating after 1995, and had an outline minimum elevation variation of 89 meters, a shrinkage of 0.63 km, and a new proglacial subaerial sector. The Ana South Glacier foreland had recessional moraines (probably formed between 1995 and 2022), lagoons, and lakes. There are many flutings in low-relief environments. The 1980-1989, 1990-1999, 2000-2009, 2010-2019 anomaly plots concerning to the 1980-2019 average for atmospheric temperature, are shown to be a driver of the local glacial trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kátia K DA Rosa
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Centro Polar e Climático, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cleiva Perondi
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Centro Polar e Climático, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Júlia L Lorenz
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Centro Polar e Climático, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jeffrey D Auger
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Centro Polar e Climático, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Pamela Cazaroto
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Geografia, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 338, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carina Petsch
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Departamento de Geociências, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael G Siqueira
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Solos, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Jefferson C Simões
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Centro Polar e Climático, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rosemary Vieira
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Geografia, Av. Gal. Milton Tavares de Souza, s/n, Campus da Praia Vermelha, Boa Viagem, 24210-346 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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17
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Hughes KA, Boyle CP, Morley-Hurst K, Gerrish L, Colwell SR, Convey P. Loss of research and operational equipment in Antarctica: Balancing scientific advances with environmental impact. J Environ Manage 2023; 348:119200. [PMID: 37832295 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Antarctica has been subject to widespread, long-term and on-going human activity since the establishment of permanent research stations became common in the 1950s. Equipment may become intentionally or inadvertently lost in Antarctic marine and terrestrial environments as a result of scientific research and associated support activities, but this has been poorly quantified to date. Here we report the quantity and nature of equipment lost by the UK's national operator in Antarctica, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Over the 15-year study period (2005-2019), 125 incidents of loss were reported, with c. 23 tonnes of equipment lost of which 18% by mass was considered hazardous. The geographical distribution of lost equipment was widespread across the BAS operational footprint. However, impacts are considered low compared to those associated with research station infrastructure establishment and operation. To reduce environmental impact overall, we recommend that, where possible, better use is made of existing research station capacity to facilitate field research, thereby reducing the need for construction of new infrastructure and the generation of associated impacts. Furthermore, to facilitate reporting on the state of the Antarctic environment, we recommend that national Antarctic programmes reinvigorate efforts to comply with Antarctic Treaty System requirements to actively record the locations of past activities and make available details of lost equipment. In a wider context, analogous reporting is also encouraged in other pristine areas subject to new research activities, including in other remote Earth environments and on extra-terrestrial bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Hughes
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK.
| | - Claire P Boyle
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Kate Morley-Hurst
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Laura Gerrish
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Steve R Colwell
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK; Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile
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18
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Purcell AM, Dijkstra P, Hungate BA, McMillen K, Schwartz E, van Gestel N. Rapid growth rate responses of terrestrial bacteria to field warming on the Antarctic Peninsula. ISME J 2023; 17:2290-2302. [PMID: 37872274 PMCID: PMC10689830 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01536-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Ice-free terrestrial environments of the western Antarctic Peninsula are expanding and subject to colonization by new microorganisms and plants, which control biogeochemical cycling. Measuring growth rates of microbial populations and ecosystem carbon flux is critical for understanding how terrestrial ecosystems in Antarctica will respond to future warming. We implemented a field warming experiment in early (bare soil; +2 °C) and late (peat moss-dominated; +1.2 °C) successional glacier forefield sites on the western Antarctica Peninsula. We used quantitative stable isotope probing with H218O using intact cores in situ to determine growth rate responses of bacterial taxa to short-term (1 month) warming. Warming increased the growth rates of bacterial communities at both sites, even doubling the number of taxa exhibiting significant growth at the early site. Growth responses varied among taxa. Despite that warming induced a similar response for bacterial relative growth rates overall, the warming effect on ecosystem carbon fluxes was stronger at the early successional site-likely driven by increased activity of autotrophs which switched the ecosystem from a carbon source to a carbon sink. At the late-successional site, warming caused a significant increase in growth rate of many Alphaproteobacteria, but a weaker and opposite gross ecosystem productivity response that decreased the carbon sink-indicating that the carbon flux rates were driven more strongly by the plant communities. Such changes to bacterial growth and ecosystem carbon cycling suggest that the terrestrial Antarctic Peninsula can respond fast to increases in temperature, which can have repercussions for long-term elemental cycling and carbon storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M Purcell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA.
| | - Paul Dijkstra
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Bruce A Hungate
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Kelly McMillen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Egbert Schwartz
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Natasja van Gestel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
- TTU Climate Center, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
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19
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Yin H, Perera-Castro AV, Randall KL, Turnbull JD, Waterman MJ, Dunn J, Robinson SA. Basking in the sun: how mosses photosynthesise and survive in Antarctica. Photosynth Res 2023; 158:151-169. [PMID: 37515652 PMCID: PMC10684656 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-023-01040-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
The Antarctic environment is extremely cold, windy and dry. Ozone depletion has resulted in increasing ultraviolet-B radiation, and increasing greenhouse gases and decreasing stratospheric ozone have altered Antarctica's climate. How do mosses thrive photosynthetically in this harsh environment? Antarctic mosses take advantage of microclimates where the combination of protection from wind, sufficient melt water, nutrients from seabirds and optimal sunlight provides both photosynthetic energy and sufficient warmth for efficient metabolism. The amount of sunlight presents a challenge: more light creates warmer canopies which are optimal for photosynthetic enzymes but can contain excess light energy that could damage the photochemical apparatus. Antarctic mosses thus exhibit strong photoprotective potential in the form of xanthophyll cycle pigments. Conversion to zeaxanthin is high when conditions are most extreme, especially when water content is low. Antarctic mosses also produce UV screening compounds which are maintained in cell walls in some species and appear to protect from DNA damage under elevated UV-B radiation. These plants thus survive in one of the harshest places on Earth by taking advantage of the best real estate to optimise their metabolism. But survival is precarious and it remains to be seen if these strategies will still work as the Antarctic climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yin
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | | | - Krystal L Randall
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Johanna D Turnbull
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Melinda J Waterman
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Jodie Dunn
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Sharon A Robinson
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
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20
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Cusset F, Bustamante P, Carravieri A, Bertin C, Brasso R, Corsi I, Dunn M, Emmerson L, Guillou G, Hart T, Juáres M, Kato A, Machado-Gaye AL, Michelot C, Olmastroni S, Polito M, Raclot T, Santos M, Schmidt A, Southwell C, Soutullo A, Takahashi A, Thiebot JB, Trathan P, Vivion P, Waluda C, Fort J, Cherel Y. Circumpolar assessment of mercury contamination: the Adélie penguin as a bioindicator of Antarctic marine ecosystems. Ecotoxicology 2023; 32:1024-1049. [PMID: 37878111 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02709-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Due to its persistence and potential ecological and health impacts, mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant of major concern that may reach high concentrations even in remote polar oceans. In contrast to the Arctic Ocean, studies documenting Hg contamination in the Southern Ocean are spatially restricted and large-scale monitoring is needed. Here, we present the first circumpolar assessment of Hg contamination in Antarctic marine ecosystems. Specifically, the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) was used as a bioindicator species, to examine regional variation across 24 colonies distributed across the entire Antarctic continent. Mercury was measured on body feathers collected from both adults (n = 485) and chicks (n = 48) between 2005 and 2021. Because penguins' diet represents the dominant source of Hg, feather δ13C and δ15N values were measured as proxies of feeding habitat and trophic position. As expected, chicks had lower Hg concentrations (mean ± SD: 0.22 ± 0.08 μg·g‒1) than adults (0.49 ± 0.23 μg·g‒1), likely because of their shorter bioaccumulation period. In adults, spatial variation in feather Hg concentrations was driven by both trophic ecology and colony location. The highest Hg concentrations were observed in the Ross Sea, possibly because of a higher consumption of fish in the diet compared to other sites (krill-dominated diet). Such large-scale assessments are critical to assess the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Owing to their circumpolar distribution and their ecological role in Antarctic marine ecosystems, Adélie penguins could be valuable bioindicators for tracking spatial and temporal trends of Hg across Antarctic waters in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Cusset
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France.
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Alice Carravieri
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Clément Bertin
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Rebecka Brasso
- Department of Zoology, Weber State University, Ogden, UT, USA
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Louise Emmerson
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Antarctic Division, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Gaël Guillou
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Tom Hart
- Department of Biological and Medicinal Sciences, Oxford Brooke University, Oxford, UK
| | - Mariana Juáres
- Departamento Biología de Predadores Tope, Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Akiko Kato
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | | | - Candice Michelot
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
- Institut Maurice-Lamontagne, Pêches et Océans Canada, Mont-Joli, QC, Canada
| | - Silvia Olmastroni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
- Museo Nazionale dell'Antartide, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Thierry Raclot
- Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR 7178 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67087, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mercedes Santos
- Departamento Biología de Predadores Tope, Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Colin Southwell
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Antarctic Division, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Alvaro Soutullo
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la República, Maldonado, Uruguay
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8518, Japan
| | - Jean-Baptiste Thiebot
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8518, Japan
- Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato-cho 3-1-1, Hakodate, 041-8611, Japan
| | | | - Pierre Vivion
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | | | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
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21
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Kollár J, Kopalová K, Kavan J, Vrbická K, Nývlt D, Nedbalová L, Stibal M, Kohler TJ. Recently formed Antarctic lakes host less diverse benthic bacterial and diatom communities than their older counterparts. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad087. [PMID: 37516444 PMCID: PMC10446143 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Glacier recession is creating new water bodies in proglacial forelands worldwide, including Antarctica. Yet, it is unknown how microbial communities of recently formed "young" waterbodies (originating decades to a few centuries ago) compare with established "old" counterparts (millennia ago). Here, we compared benthic microbial communities of different lake types on James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula, using 16S rDNA metabarcoding and light microscopy to explore bacterial and diatom communities, respectively. We found that the older lakes host significantly more diverse bacterial and diatom communities compared to the young ones. To identify potential mechanisms for these differences, linear models and dbRDA analyses suggested combinations of water temperature, pH, and conductivity to be the most important factors for diversity and community structuring, while differences in geomorphological and hydrological stability, though more difficult to quantify, are likely also influential. These results, along with an indicator species analysis, suggest that physical and chemical constraints associated with individual lakes histories are likely more influential to the assembly of the benthic microbial communities than lake age alone. Collectively, these results improve our understanding of microbial community drivers in Antarctic freshwaters, and help predict how the microbial landscape may shift with future habitat creation within a changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kollár
- Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, CZ-12844, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Kopalová
- Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, CZ-12844, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kavan
- Polar-Geo-Lab, Faculty of Science, Department of Geography, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, CZ-61137, Czech Republic
- Alfred Jahn Cold Regions Research Centre, University of Wroclaw, pl. Uniwersytecki 1, Wroclaw 50-137, Poland
| | - Kristýna Vrbická
- Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, CZ-12844, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Nývlt
- Polar-Geo-Lab, Faculty of Science, Department of Geography, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, CZ-61137, Czech Republic
| | - Linda Nedbalová
- Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, CZ-12844, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Stibal
- Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, CZ-12844, Czech Republic
| | - Tyler J Kohler
- Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2, CZ-12844, Czech Republic
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22
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Bosson JB, Huss M, Cauvy-Fraunié S, Clément JC, Costes G, Fischer M, Poulenard J, Arthaud F. Future emergence of new ecosystems caused by glacial retreat. Nature 2023; 620:562-569. [PMID: 37587299 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06302-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Glacier shrinkage and the development of post-glacial ecosystems related to anthropogenic climate change are some of the fastest ongoing ecosystem shifts, with marked ecological and societal cascading consequences1-6. Yet, no complete spatial analysis exists, to our knowledge, to quantify or anticipate this important changeover7,8. Here we show that by 2100, the decline of all glaciers outside the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets may produce new terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems over an area ranging from the size of Nepal (149,000 ± 55,000 km2) to that of Finland (339,000 ± 99,000 km2). Our analysis shows that the loss of glacier area will range from 22 ± 8% to 51 ± 15%, depending on the climate scenario. In deglaciated areas, the emerging ecosystems will be characterized by extreme to mild ecological conditions, offering refuge for cold-adapted species or favouring primary productivity and generalist species. Exploring the future of glacierized areas highlights the importance of glaciers and emerging post-glacial ecosystems in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and freshwater scarcity. We find that less than half of glacial areas are located in protected areas. Echoing the recent United Nations resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation9 and the Global Biodiversity Framework10, we emphasize the need to urgently and simultaneously enhance climate-change mitigation and the in situ protection of these ecosystems to secure their existence, functioning and values.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Bosson
- Asters, Conservatory of Natural Areas of Haute-Savoie, Annecy, France.
| | - M Huss
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - S Cauvy-Fraunié
- INRAE, UR RIVERLY, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, Villeurbanne, France
| | - J C Clément
- Université Savoie Mont Blanc, INRAE, CARRTEL, Thonon-les-Bains, France
| | - G Costes
- Asters, Conservatory of Natural Areas of Haute-Savoie, Annecy, France
| | - M Fischer
- Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - J Poulenard
- Laboratory Environnement Dynamique et Territoire de la Montagne (EDYTEM), Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
| | - F Arthaud
- Université Savoie Mont Blanc, INRAE, CARRTEL, Thonon-les-Bains, France
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23
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Cowan DA, Cary SC, DiRuggiero J, Eckardt F, Ferrari B, Hopkins DW, Lebre PH, Maggs-Kölling G, Pointing SB, Ramond JB, Tribbia D, Warren-Rhodes K. 'Follow the Water': Microbial Water Acquisition in Desert Soils. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1670. [PMID: 37512843 PMCID: PMC10386458 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Water availability is the dominant driver of microbial community structure and function in desert soils. However, these habitats typically only receive very infrequent large-scale water inputs (e.g., from precipitation and/or run-off). In light of recent studies, the paradigm that desert soil microorganisms are largely dormant under xeric conditions is questionable. Gene expression profiling of microbial communities in desert soils suggests that many microbial taxa retain some metabolic functionality, even under severely xeric conditions. It, therefore, follows that other, less obvious sources of water may sustain the microbial cellular and community functionality in desert soil niches. Such sources include a range of precipitation and condensation processes, including rainfall, snow, dew, fog, and nocturnal distillation, all of which may vary quantitatively depending on the location and geomorphological characteristics of the desert ecosystem. Other more obscure sources of bioavailable water may include groundwater-derived water vapour, hydrated minerals, and metabolic hydro-genesis. Here, we explore the possible sources of bioavailable water in the context of microbial survival and function in xeric desert soils. With global climate change projected to have profound effects on both hot and cold deserts, we also explore the potential impacts of climate-induced changes in water availability on soil microbiomes in these extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don A Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - S Craig Cary
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
| | - Jocelyne DiRuggiero
- Departments of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Departments of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Frank Eckardt
- Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Belinda Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - David W Hopkins
- Scotland's Rural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Pedro H Lebre
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | | | - Stephen B Pointing
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Jean-Baptiste Ramond
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- Departamento Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Dana Tribbia
- School of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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24
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Burrows JL, Lee JR, Wilson KA. Evaluating the conservation impact of Antarctica's protected areas. Conserv Biol 2023; 37:e14059. [PMID: 36661063 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Antarctic specially protected areas (ASPAs) are a key regulatory mechanism for protecting Antarctic environmental values. Previous evaluations of the effectiveness of the ASPA system focused on its representativeness and design characteristics, presenting a compelling rationale for its systematic revision. Upgrading the system could increase the representation of values within ASPAs, but representation alone does not guarantee the avoided loss or improvement of those values. Identifying factors that influence the effectiveness of ASPAs would inform the design and management of an ASPA system with the greatest capacity to deliver its intended conservation outcomes. To facilitate evaluations of ASPA effectiveness, we devised a research and policy agenda that includes articulating a theory of change for what outcomes ASPAs generate and how; building evaluation principles into ASPA design and designation processes; employing complementary approaches to evaluate multiple dimensions of effectiveness; and extending evaluation findings to identify and exploit drivers of positive conservation impact. Implementing these approaches will enhance the efficacy of ASPAs as a management tool, potentially leading to improved outcomes for Antarctic natural values in an era of rapid global change. Evaluación del impacto de conservación de las áreas protegidas de la Antártida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Burrows
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jasmine R Lee
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kerrie A Wilson
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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25
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Bon JJ, Bretherton A, Buchhorn K, Cramb S, Drovandi C, Hassan C, Jenner AL, Mayfield HJ, McGree JM, Mengersen K, Price A, Salomone R, Santos-Fernandez E, Vercelloni J, Wang X. Being Bayesian in the 2020s: opportunities and challenges in the practice of modern applied Bayesian statistics. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2023; 381:20220156. [PMID: 36970822 PMCID: PMC10041356 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2022.0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Building on a strong foundation of philosophy, theory, methods and computation over the past three decades, Bayesian approaches are now an integral part of the toolkit for most statisticians and data scientists. Whether they are dedicated Bayesians or opportunistic users, applied professionals can now reap many of the benefits afforded by the Bayesian paradigm. In this paper, we touch on six modern opportunities and challenges in applied Bayesian statistics: intelligent data collection, new data sources, federated analysis, inference for implicit models, model transfer and purposeful software products. This article is part of the theme issue 'Bayesian inference: challenges, perspectives, and prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J. Bon
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adam Bretherton
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katie Buchhorn
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Susanna Cramb
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher Drovandi
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Conor Hassan
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adrianne L. Jenner
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helen J. Mayfield
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - James M. McGree
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kerrie Mengersen
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Aiden Price
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robert Salomone
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Computer Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Edgar Santos-Fernandez
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Julie Vercelloni
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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26
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Jeong H, Byeon E, Kim DH, Maszczyk P, Lee JS. Heavy metals and metalloid in aquatic invertebrates: A review of single/mixed forms, combination with other pollutants, and environmental factors. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 191:114959. [PMID: 37146547 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals (HMs) and metalloid occur naturally and are found throughout the Earth's crust but they are discharged into aquatic environments at high concentrations by human activities, increasing heavy metal pollution. HMs can bioaccumulate in higher organisms through the food web and consequently affect humans. In an aquatic environment, various HMs mixtures can be present. Furthermore, HMs adsorb on other environmental pollutants, such as microplastics and persistent organic pollutants, causing a synergistic or antagonistic effect on aquatic organisms. Therefore, to understand the biological and physiological effects of HMs on aquatic organisms, it is important to evaluate the effects of exposure to combinations of complex HM mixtures and/or pollutants and other environmental factors. Aquatic invertebrates occupy an important niche in the aquatic food chain as the main energy link between higher and lower organisms. The distribution of heavy metals and the resulting toxic effects in aquatic invertebrates have been extensively studied, but few reports have dealt with the relationship between HMs, pollutants, and environmental factors in biological systems with regard to biological availability and toxicity. This review describes the overall properties of individual HM and their effects on aquatic invertebrates and comprehensively reviews physiological and biochemical endpoints in aquatic invertebrates depending on interactions among HMs, other pollutants, and environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haksoo Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Eunjin Byeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Duck-Hyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Piotr Maszczyk
- Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jae-Seong Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
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27
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Beck A, Casanova-Katny A, Gerasimova J. Metabarcoding of Antarctic Lichens from Areas with Different Deglaciation Times Reveals a High Diversity of Lichen-Associated Communities. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051019. [PMID: 37239380 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens have developed numerous adaptations to optimise their survival under harsh abiotic stress, colonise different substrates, and reach substantial population sizes and high coverage in ice-free Antarctic areas, benefiting from a symbiotic lifestyle. As lichen thalli represent consortia with an unknown number of participants, it is important to know about the accessory organisms and their relationships with various environmental conditions. To this end, we analysed lichen-associated communities from Himantormia lugubris, Placopsis antarctica, P. contortuplicata, and Ramalina terebrata, collected from soils with differing deglaciation times, using a metabarcoding approach. In general, many more Ascomycete taxa are associated with the investigated lichens compared to Basidiomycota. Given our sampling, a consistently higher number of lichen-associated eukaryotes are estimated to be present in areas with deglaciation times of longer than 5000 years compared to more recently deglaciated areas. Thus far, members of Dothideomycetes, Leotiomycetes, and Arthoniomycetes have been restricted to the Placopsis specimens from areas with deglaciation times longer than 5000 years. Striking differences between the associated organisms of R. terebrata and H. lugubris have also been discovered. Thus, a species-specific basidiomycete, Tremella, was revealed for R. terebrata, as was a member of Capnodiales for H. lugubris. Our study provides further understanding of the complex terricolous lichen-associated mycobiome using the metabarcoding approach. It also illustrates the necessity to extend our knowledge of complex lichen symbiosis and further improve the coverage of microbial eukaryotes in DNA barcode libraries, including more extended sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Beck
- SNSB-Botanische Staatssammlung München, 80638 Munich, Germany
- GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Angélica Casanova-Katny
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología Vegetal y Cambio Climático, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco 4780000, Chile
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28
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Kaplan Pastíriková L, Hrbáček F, Uxa T, Láska K. Permafrost table temperature and active layer thickness variability on James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula, in 2004-2021. Sci Total Environ 2023; 869:161690. [PMID: 36657667 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and its impacts on sensitive polar ecosystems are relatively little studied in Antarctic regions. Permafrost and active layer changes over time in periglacial regions of the world are important indicators of climate variability. These changes (e. g. permafrost degradation, increasing of the active layer thickness) can have a significant impact on Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems. The study site (AWS-JGM) is located on the Ulu Peninsula in the north of James Ross Island. Ground temperatures at depths of 5, 50, and 75 cm have been measured at the site since 2011, while air temperature began to be measured in 2004. The main objective is to evaluate the year-to-year variability of the reconstructed temperature of the top of the permafrost table and the active layer thickness (ALT) since 2004 based on air temperature data using TTOP and Stefan models, respectively. The models were verified against direct observations from a reference period 2011/12-2020/21 showing a strong correlation of 0.95 (RMSE = 0.52) and 0.84 (RMSE = 3.54) for TTOP and Stefan models, respectively. The reconstructed average temperature of the permafrost table for the period 2004/05-2020/21 was -5.8 °C with a trend of -0.1 °C/decade, while the average air temperature reached -6.6 °C with a trend of 0.6 °C/decade. Air temperatures did not have an increasing trend throughout the period, but in the first part of the period (2004/05-2010/11) showed a decreasing tendency (-1.3 °C/decade). In the period 2011/12-2020/21, it was a warming of 1.9 °C/decade. The average modelled ALT for the period 2004/05-2020/21 reached a value of 60cm with a trend of -1.6 cm/decade. Both models were found to provide reliable results, and thus they significantly expand the information about the permafrost and ALT, which is necessary for a better understanding of their spatiotemporal variability and the impact of climate change on the cryosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Filip Hrbáček
- Department of Geography, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Uxa
- Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Láska
- Department of Geography, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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29
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Jossart Q, Bauman D, Moreau CV, Saucède T, Christiansen H, Brasier MJ, Convey P, Downey R, Figuerola B, Martin P, Norenburg J, Rosenfeld S, Verheye M, Danis B. A pioneer morphological and genetic study of the intertidal fauna of the Gerlache Strait (Antarctic Peninsula). Environ Monit Assess 2023; 195:514. [PMID: 36973586 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11066-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The underexplored intertidal ecosystems of Antarctica are facing rapid changes in important environmental factors. Associated with temperature increase, reduction in coastal ice will soon expose new ice-free areas that will be colonized by local or distant biota. To enable detection of future changes in faunal composition, a biodiversity baseline is urgently required. Here, we evaluated intertidal faunal diversity at 13 locations around the Gerlache Strait (western Antarctic Peninsula), using a combination of a quadrat approach, morphological identification and genetic characterization. Our data highlight a community structure comprising four generally distributed and highly abundant species (the flatworm Obrimoposthia wandeli, the bivalve Kidderia subquadrata, and the gastropods Laevilitorina umbilicata and Laevilitorina caliginosa) as well as 79 rarer and less widely encountered species. The most abundant species thrive in the intertidal zone due to their ability to either survive overwinter in situ or to rapidly colonize this zone when conditions allow. In addition, we confirmed the presence of multiple trophic levels at nearly all locations, suggesting that complex inter-specific interactions occur within these communities. Diversity indices contrasted between sampling locations (from 3 to 32 species) and multivariate approaches identified three main groups. This confirms the importance of environmental heterogeneity in shaping diversity patterns within the investigated area. Finally, we provide the first genetic and photographic baseline of the Antarctic intertidal fauna (106 sequences, 137 macrophotographs), as well as preliminary insights on the biogeography of several species. Taken together, these results provide a timely catalyst to assess the diversity and to inform studies of the potential resilience of these intertidal communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Jossart
- Marine Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
- Marine Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
- UMR CNRS 6282, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
| | - David Bauman
- AMAP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier, IRD, France
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Camille Ve Moreau
- Marine Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Henrik Christiansen
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Madeleine J Brasier
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Millenium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (MI-BASE), Santiago, Chile
| | - Rachel Downey
- Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Patrick Martin
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jon Norenburg
- Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, United States of America
| | - Sebastian Rosenfeld
- Millenium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (MI-BASE), Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Ecosistemas Marinos Antarticos y Subantarticos, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
- Centro de Investigación Gaia‑Antártica, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Marie Verheye
- Laboratory of Trophic and Isotopes Ecology (LETIS), Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Bruno Danis
- Marine Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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30
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Contador Mejias T, Gañan M, Rendoll-Cárcamo J, Maturana CS, Benítez HA, Kennedy J, Rozzi R, Convey P. A polar insect's tale: Observations on the life cycle of Parochlus steinenii, the only winged midge native to Antarctica. Ecology 2023; 104:e3964. [PMID: 36565174 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Contador Mejias
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Millennium Nucleus of Austral Invasive Salmonids (INVASAL), Concepción, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Melisa Gañan
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Millennium Nucleus of Austral Invasive Salmonids (INVASAL), Concepción, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Javier Rendoll-Cárcamo
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Millennium Nucleus of Austral Invasive Salmonids (INVASAL), Concepción, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Claudia S Maturana
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Hugo A Benítez
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Laboratorio de Ecología y Morfometría Evolutiva, Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - James Kennedy
- Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Ricardo Rozzi
- Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.,Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Peter Convey
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,British Antarctic Survey, NERC, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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31
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Abstract
The origin of terrestrial biota in Antarctica has been debated since the discovery of springtails on the first historic voyages to the southern continent more than 120 years ago. A plausible explanation for the long-term persistence of life requiring ice-free land on continental Antarctica has, however, remained elusive. The default glacial eradication scenario has dominated because hypotheses to date have failed to provide a mechanism for their widespread survival on the continent, particularly through the Last Glacial Maximum when geological evidence demonstrates that the ice sheet was more extensive than present. Here, we provide support for the alternative nunatak refuge hypothesis-that ice-free terrain with sufficient relief above the ice sheet provided refuges and was a source for terrestrial biota found today. This hypothesis is supported here by an increased understanding from the combination of biological and geological evidence, and we outline a mechanism for these refuges during successive glacial maxima that also provides a source for coastal species. Our cross-disciplinary approach provides future directions to further test this hypothesis that will lead to new insights into the evolution of Antarctic landscapes and how they have shaped the biota through a changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark I Stevens
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, Earth and Biological Sciences, South Australian Museum, SA 5000, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Andrew N Mackintosh
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
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32
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Cukier S, Fudala K, Józef Bialik R. Are Antarctic aquatic invertebrates hitchhiking on your footwear? J Nat Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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33
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Wu L, Sheng M, Liu X, Zheng Z, Emslie SD, Yang N, Wang X, Nie Y, Jin J, Xie Q, Chen S, Zhang D, Su S, Zhong S, Hu W, Deng J, Zhu J, Qi Y, Liu CQ, Fu P. Molecular transformation of organic nitrogen in Antarctic penguin guano-affected soil. Environ Int 2023; 172:107796. [PMID: 36773562 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Organic nitrogen (ON) is an important participant in the Earth's N cycle. Previous studies have shown that penguin feces add an abundance of nutrients including N to the soil, significantly changing the eco-environment in ice-free areas in Antarctica. To explore the molecular transformation of ON in penguin guano-affected soil, we collected guano-free weathered soil, modern guano-affected soil from penguin colonies, ancient guano-affected soil from abandoned penguin colonies, and penguin feces from the Ross Sea region, Antarctica, and Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) was used to investigate the chemical composition of water-extractable ON. By comparing the molecular compositions of ON among different samples, we found that the number of ON compounds (>4,000) in weathered soil is minimal, while carboxylic-rich alicyclic-like molecules (CRAM-like) are dominant. Penguin feces adds ON into the soil with > 10,000 CHON, CHONS and CHN compounds, including CRAM-like, lipid-like, aliphatic/ peptide-like molecules and amines in the guano-affected soil. After the input of penguin feces, macromolecules continue to degrade, and other ON compounds tend to be oxidized into relatively stable CRAM-like molecules, this is an important transformation process of ON in guano-affected soils. We conclude the roles of various forms of ON in the N cycle are complex and diverse. Combined with previous studies, ON eventually turns into inorganic N and is lost from the soil. The lost N ultimately returns to the ocean and the food web, thus completing the N cycle. Our study preliminarily reveals the molecular transformation of ON in penguin guano-affected soil and is important for understanding the N cycle in Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libin Wu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Ming Sheng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
| | - Zhangqin Zheng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
| | - Steven D Emslie
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
| | - Ning Yang
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Xueying Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
| | - Yaguang Nie
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China.
| | - Jing Jin
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
| | - Qiaorong Xie
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Shuang Chen
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Donghuan Zhang
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Sihui Su
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Shujun Zhong
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Wei Hu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Junjun Deng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Jialei Zhu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Yulin Qi
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Cong-Qiang Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Pingqing Fu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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Convey P, Hughes KA. Untangling unexpected terrestrial conservation challenges arising from the historical human exploitation of marine mammals in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. Ambio 2023; 52:357-375. [PMID: 36048407 PMCID: PMC9755428 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01782-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Intensive human exploitation of the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) in its primary population centre on sub-Antarctic South Georgia, as well as on other sub-Antarctic islands and parts of the South Shetland Islands, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries rapidly brought populations to the brink of extinction. The species has now recovered throughout its original distribution. Non-breeding and yearling seals, almost entirely males, from the South Georgia population now disperse in the summer months far more widely and in higher numbers than there is evidence for taking place in the pre-exploitation era. Large numbers now haul out in coastal terrestrial habitats in the South Orkney Islands and also along the north-east and west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula to at least Marguerite Bay. In these previously less- or non-visited areas, the seals cause levels of damage likely never to have been experienced previously to fragile terrestrial habitats through trampling and over-fertilisation, as well as eutrophication of sensitive freshwater ecosystems. This increased area of summer impact is likely to have further synergies with aspects of regional climate change, including reduction in extent and duration of sea ice permitting seals access farther south, and changes in krill abundance and distribution. The extent and conservation value of terrestrial habitats and biodiversity now threatened by fur seal distribution expansion, and the multiple anthropogenic factors acting in synergy both historically and to the present day, present a new and as yet unaddressed challenge to the agencies charged with ensuring the protection and conservation of Antarctica's unique ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa.
| | - Kevin A Hughes
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
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35
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Koerich G, Fraser CI, Lee CK, Morgan FJ, Tonkin JD. Forecasting the future of life in Antarctica. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:24-34. [PMID: 35934551 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Antarctic ecosystems are under increasing anthropogenic pressure, but efforts to predict the responses of Antarctic biodiversity to environmental change are hindered by considerable data challenges. Here, we illustrate how novel data capture technologies provide exciting opportunities to sample Antarctic biodiversity at wider spatiotemporal scales. Data integration frameworks, such as point process and hierarchical models, can mitigate weaknesses in individual data sets, improving confidence in their predictions. Increasing process knowledge in models is imperative to achieving improved forecasts of Antarctic biodiversity, which can be attained for data-limited species using hybrid modelling frameworks. Leveraging these state-of-the-art tools will help to overcome many of the data scarcity challenges presented by the remoteness of Antarctica, enabling more robust forecasts both near- and long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Koerich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
| | - Ceridwen I Fraser
- Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Charles K Lee
- International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, School of Science, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - Fraser J Morgan
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Auckland 1072, New Zealand; Te Pūnaha Matatini, Centre of Research Excellence in Complex Systems, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan D Tonkin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Te Pūnaha Matatini, Centre of Research Excellence in Complex Systems, Auckland, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Canterbury, New Zealand.
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Molina AN, Pulgar JM, Rezende EL, Carter MJ. Heat tolerance of marine ectotherms in a warming Antarctica. Glob Chang Biol 2023; 29:179-188. [PMID: 36045500 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global warming is affecting the Antarctic continent in complex ways. Because Antarctic organisms are specialized to living in the cold, they are vulnerable to increasing temperatures, although quantitative analyses of this issue are currently lacking. Here we compiled a total of 184 estimates of heat tolerance belonging to 39 marine species and quantified how survival is affected concomitantly by the intensity and duration of thermal stress. Species exhibit thermal limits displaced toward colder temperatures, with contrasting strategies between arthropods and fish that exhibit low tolerance to acute heat challenges, and brachiopods, echinoderms, and molluscs that tend to be more sensitive to chronic exposure. These differences might be associated with mobility. A dynamic mortality model suggests that Antarctic organisms already encounter temperatures that might be physiologically stressful and indicate that these ecological communities are indeed vulnerable to ongoing rising temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés N Molina
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José M Pulgar
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Enrico L Rezende
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio J Carter
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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Lee JR, Terauds A, Carwardine J, Shaw JD, Fuller RA, Possingham HP, Chown SL, Convey P, Gilbert N, Hughes KA, McIvor E, Robinson SA, Ropert-Coudert Y, Bergstrom DM, Biersma EM, Christian C, Cowan DA, Frenot Y, Jenouvrier S, Kelley L, Lee MJ, Lynch HJ, Njåstad B, Quesada A, Roura RM, Shaw EA, Stanwell-Smith D, Tsujimoto M, Wall DH, Wilmotte A, Chadès I. Threat management priorities for conserving Antarctic biodiversity. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001921. [PMID: 36548240 PMCID: PMC9778584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity faces multiple threats, from invasive species to climate change. Yet no large-scale assessments of threat management strategies exist. Applying a structured participatory approach, we demonstrate that existing conservation efforts are insufficient in a changing world, estimating that 65% (at best 37%, at worst 97%) of native terrestrial taxa and land-associated seabirds are likely to decline by 2100 under current trajectories. Emperor penguins are identified as the most vulnerable taxon, followed by other seabirds and dry soil nematodes. We find that implementing 10 key threat management strategies in parallel, at an estimated present-day equivalent annual cost of US$23 million, could benefit up to 84% of Antarctic taxa. Climate change is identified as the most pervasive threat to Antarctic biodiversity and influencing global policy to effectively limit climate change is the most beneficial conservation strategy. However, minimising impacts of human activities and improved planning and management of new infrastructure projects are cost-effective and will help to minimise regional threats. Simultaneous global and regional efforts are critical to secure Antarctic biodiversity for future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine R. Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- CSIRO, Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Aleks Terauds
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Justine D. Shaw
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Richard A. Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hugh P. Possingham
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Steven L. Chown
- Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neil Gilbert
- Constantia Consulting, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Kevin A. Hughes
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ewan McIvor
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Sharon A. Robinson
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Life Sciences and Global Challenges Program, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yan Ropert-Coudert
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, La Rochelle Université − CNRS, UMR 7372, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Dana M. Bergstrom
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Life Sciences and Global Challenges Program, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elisabeth M. Biersma
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claire Christian
- Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Don A. Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Yves Frenot
- University of Rennes 1, CNRS, EcoBio (Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution)—UMR 6553, Rennes, France
| | - Stéphanie Jenouvrier
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lisa Kelley
- International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), South Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | | | - Heather J. Lynch
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Antonio Quesada
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo M. Roura
- Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - E. Ashley Shaw
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Damon Stanwell-Smith
- International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), South Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Viking Expeditions, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Megumu Tsujimoto
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Japan
- National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Diana H. Wall
- Department of Biology and School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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Zhang Y, Zhang B, Ahmed I, Zhang H, He Y. Profiles and natural drivers of antibiotic resistome in multiple environmental media in penguin-colonized area in Antarctica. Fundamental Research 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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Zhang T, Yan D, Ji Z, Chen X, Yu L. A comprehensive assessment of fungal communities in various habitats from an ice-free area of maritime Antarctica: diversity, distribution, and ecological trait. Environ Microbiome 2022; 17:54. [PMID: 36380397 PMCID: PMC9667611 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-022-00450-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the ice-free area of maritime Antarctica, fungi are the essential functioning group in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Until now, no study has been conducted to comprehensively assess fungal communities in various habitats in Antarctica. We aimed to characterize fungal communities in the eleven habitats (i.e., soil, seawater, vascular plant, dung, moss, marine alga, lichen, green alga, freshwater, feather) in the Fildes Region (maritime Antarctica) using next-generation sequencing. RESULTS A total of 12 known phyla, 37 known classes, 85 known orders, 164 known families, 313 known genera, and 320 known species were detected. Habitat specificity rather than habitat overlap determined the composition of fungal communities, suggesting that, although fungal communities were connected by dispersal at the local scale, the environmental filter is a key factor driving fungal assemblages in the ice-free Antarctica. Furthermore, 20 fungal guilds and 6 growth forms were detected. Many significant differences in the functional guild (e.g., lichenized, algal parasite, litter saprotroph) and growth form (e.g., yeast, filamentous mycelium, thallus photosynthetic) existed among different habitat types. CONCLUSION The present study reveals the high diversity of fungal communities in the eleven ice-free Antarctic habitats and elucidates the ecological traits of fungal communities in this unique ice-free area of maritime Antarctica. The findings will help advance our understanding of fungal diversity and their ecological roles with respect to habitats on a neighbourhood scale in the ice-free area of maritime Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- China Pharmaceutical Culture Collection, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dong Yan
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongqiang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiufei Chen
- China Pharmaceutical Culture Collection, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyan Yu
- China Pharmaceutical Culture Collection, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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Newsham KK, Misiak M, Goodall-Copestake WP, Dahl MS, Boddy L, Hopkins DW, Davey ML. Experimental warming increases fungal alpha diversity in an oligotrophic maritime Antarctic soil. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1050372. [PMID: 36439821 PMCID: PMC9684652 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1050372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The climate of maritime Antarctica has altered since the 1950s. However, the effects of increased temperature, precipitation and organic carbon and nitrogen availability on the fungal communities inhabiting the barren and oligotrophic fellfield soils that are widespread across the region are poorly understood. Here, we test how warming with open top chambers (OTCs), irrigation and the organic substrates glucose, glycine and tryptone soy broth (TSB) influence a fungal community inhabiting an oligotrophic maritime Antarctic fellfield soil. In contrast with studies in vegetated soils at lower latitudes, OTCs increased fungal community alpha diversity (Simpson's index and evenness) by 102-142% in unamended soil after 5 years. Conversely, OTCs had few effects on diversity in substrate-amended soils, with their only main effects, in glycine-amended soils, being attributable to an abundance of Pseudogymnoascus. The substrates reduced alpha and beta diversity metrics by 18-63%, altered community composition and elevated soil fungal DNA concentrations by 1-2 orders of magnitude after 5 years. In glycine-amended soil, OTCs decreased DNA concentrations by 57% and increased the relative abundance of the yeast Vishniacozyma by 45-fold. The relative abundance of the yeast Gelidatrema declined by 78% in chambered soil and increased by 1.9-fold in irrigated soil. Fungal DNA concentrations were also halved by irrigation in TSB-amended soils. In support of regional- and continental-scale studies across climatic gradients, the observations indicate that soil fungal alpha diversity in maritime Antarctica will increase as the region warms, but suggest that the accumulation of organic carbon and nitrogen compounds in fellfield soils arising from expanding plant populations are likely, in time, to attenuate the positive effects of warming on diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Misiak
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - William P. Goodall-Copestake
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lynne Boddy
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marie L. Davey
- Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
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Perazzolli M, Vicelli B, Antonielli L, Longa CMO, Bozza E, Bertini L, Caruso C, Pertot I. Simulated global warming affects endophytic bacterial and fungal communities of Antarctic pearlwort leaves and some bacterial isolates support plant growth at low temperatures. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18839. [PMID: 36336707 PMCID: PMC9637742 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23582-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Antarctica is one of the most stressful environments for plant life and the Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis) is adapted to the hostile conditions. Plant-associated microorganisms can contribute to plant survival in cold environments, but scarce information is available on the taxonomic structure and functional roles of C. quitensis-associated microbial communities. This study aimed at evaluating the possible impacts of climate warming on the taxonomic structure of C. quitensis endophytes and at investigating the contribution of culturable bacterial endophytes to plant growth at low temperatures. The culture-independent analysis revealed changes in the taxonomic structure of bacterial and fungal communities according to plant growth conditions, such as the collection site and the presence of open-top chambers (OTCs), which can simulate global warming. Plants grown inside OTCs showed lower microbial richness and higher relative abundances of biomarker bacterial genera (Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium, Aeromicrobium, Aureimonas, Hymenobacter, Novosphingobium, Pedobacter, Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas) and fungal genera (Alternaria, Cistella, and Vishniacozyma) compared to plants collected from open areas (OA), as a possible response to global warming simulated by OTCs. Culturable psychrotolerant bacteria of C. quitensis were able to endophytically colonize tomato seedlings and promote shoot growth at low temperatures, suggesting their potential contribution to plant tolerance to cold conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Perazzolli
- grid.11696.390000 0004 1937 0351Centre Agriculture, Food and the Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, Italy ,grid.424414.30000 0004 1755 6224Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Bianca Vicelli
- grid.11696.390000 0004 1937 0351Centre Agriculture, Food and the Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Livio Antonielli
- grid.4332.60000 0000 9799 7097Center for Health and Bioresources, Bioresources Unit, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Claudia M. O. Longa
- grid.424414.30000 0004 1755 6224Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Elisa Bozza
- grid.424414.30000 0004 1755 6224Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Laura Bertini
- grid.12597.380000 0001 2298 9743Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Carla Caruso
- grid.12597.380000 0001 2298 9743Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pertot
- grid.11696.390000 0004 1937 0351Centre Agriculture, Food and the Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, Italy ,grid.424414.30000 0004 1755 6224Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
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Sotille ME, Bremer UF, Vieira G, Velho LF, Petsch C, Auger JD, Simões JC. UAV-based classification of maritime Antarctic vegetation types using GEOBIA and random forest. ECOL INFORM 2022; 71:101768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Lee JR, Waterman MJ, Shaw JD, Bergstrom DM, Lynch HJ, Wall DH, Robinson SA. Islands in the ice: Potential impacts of habitat transformation on Antarctic biodiversity. Glob Chang Biol 2022; 28:5865-5880. [PMID: 35795907 PMCID: PMC9542894 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Antarctic biodiversity faces an unknown future with a changing climate. Most terrestrial biota is restricted to limited patches of ice-free land in a sea of ice, where they are adapted to the continent's extreme cold and wind and exploit microhabitats of suitable conditions. As temperatures rise, ice-free areas are predicted to expand, more rapidly in some areas than others. There is high uncertainty as to how species' distributions, physiology, abundance, and survivorship will be affected as their habitats transform. Here we use current knowledge to propose hypotheses that ice-free area expansion (i) will increase habitat availability, though the quality of habitat will vary; (ii) will increase structural connectivity, although not necessarily increase opportunities for species establishment; (iii) combined with milder climates will increase likelihood of non-native species establishment, but may also lengthen activity windows for all species; and (iv) will benefit some species and not others, possibly resulting in increased homogeneity of biodiversity. We anticipate considerable spatial, temporal, and taxonomic variation in species responses, and a heightened need for interdisciplinary research to understand the factors associated with ecosystem resilience under future scenarios. Such research will help identify at-risk species or vulnerable localities and is crucial for informing environmental management and policymaking into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine R. Lee
- British Antarctic SurveyNERCCambridgeUK
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental ScienceQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Melinda J. Waterman
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life SciencesUniversity of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Justine D. Shaw
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental ScienceQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Dana M. Bergstrom
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of AgricultureWater and the EnvironmentKingstonTASAustralia
- Global Challenges ProgramUniversity of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Heather J. Lynch
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionStony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew YorkUSA
| | - Diana H. Wall
- Department of Biology and School of Global Environmental SustainabilityColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Sharon A. Robinson
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life SciencesUniversity of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
- Global Challenges ProgramUniversity of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
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Lewis PJ, Lashko A, Chiaradia A, Allinson G, Shimeta J, Emmerson L. New and legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in breeding seabirds from the East Antarctic. Environ Pollut 2022; 309:119734. [PMID: 35835279 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are pervasive and a significant threat to the environment worldwide. Yet, reports of POP levels in Antarctic seabirds based on blood are scarce, resulting in significant geographical gaps. Blood concentrations offer a snapshot of contamination within live populations, and have been used widely for Arctic and Northern Hemisphere seabird species but less so in Antarctica. This paper presents levels of legacy POPs (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in the blood of five Antarctic seabird species breeding within Prydz Bay, East Antarctica. Legacy PCBs and OCPs were detected in all species sampled, with Adélie penguins showing comparatively high ∑PCB levels (61.1 ± 87.6 ng/g wet weight (ww)) compared to the four species of flying seabirds except the snow petrel (22.5 ± 15.5 ng/g ww), highlighting that legacy POPs are still present within Antarctic wildlife despite decades-long bans. Both PBDEs and NBFRs were detected in trace levels for all species and hexabromobenzene (HBB) was quantified in cape petrels (0.3 ± 0.2 ng/g ww) and snow petrels (0.2 ± 0.1 ng/g ww), comparable to concentrations found in Arctic seabirds. These results fill a significant data gap within the Antarctic region for POPs studies, representing a crucial step forward assessing the fate and impact of legacy POPs contamination in the Antarctic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe J Lewis
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia.
| | - Anna Lashko
- Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania, 7050, Australia
| | - Andre Chiaradia
- Conservation Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Victoria, 3925, Australia
| | - Graeme Allinson
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Jeff Shimeta
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Louise Emmerson
- Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania, 7050, Australia
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Liu S, Li T, Fang S, Zhang P, Yi D, Cong B, Zhang Z, Zhao L. Metabolic profiling and gene expression analyses provide insights into cold adaptation of an Antarctic moss Pohlia nutans. Front Plant Sci 2022; 13:1006991. [PMID: 36176693 PMCID: PMC9514047 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1006991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and most windy continent on earth. The major terrestrial vegetation consists of cryptogams (mosses and lichens) and two vascular plant species. However, the molecular mechanism of cold tolerance and relevant regulatory networks were largely unknown in these Antarctic plants. Here, we investigated the global alterations in metabolites and regulatory pathways of an Antarctic moss (Pohlia nutans) under cold stress using an integrated multi-omics approach. We found that proline content and several antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly increased in P. nutans under cold stress, but the contents of chlorophyll and total flavonoids were markedly decreased. A total of 559 metabolites were detected using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). We observed 39 and 71 differentially changed metabolites (DCMs) after 24 h and 60 h cold stress, indicating that several major pathways were differentially activated for producing fatty acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. In addition, the quantitative transcriptome sequencing was conducted to uncover the global transcriptional profiles of P. nutans under cold stress. The representative differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and summarized to the function including Ca2+ signaling, ABA signaling, jasmonate signaling, fatty acids biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, and other biological processes. The integrated dataset analyses of metabolome and transcriptome revealed that jasmonate signaling, auxin signaling, very-long-chain fatty acids and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways might contribute to P. nutans acclimating to cold stress. Overall, these observations provide insight into Antarctic moss adaptations to polar habitats and the impact of global climate change on Antarctic plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuo Fang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
| | - Pengying Zhang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dan Yi
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
| | - Bailin Cong
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, China
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Linlin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, China
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Beet CR, Hogg ID, Cary SC, McDonald IR, Sinclair BJ. The Resilience of Polar Collembola (Springtails) in a Changing Climate. Curr Res Insect Sci 2022; 2:100046. [PMID: 36683955 PMCID: PMC9846479 DOI: 10.1016/j.cris.2022.100046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the resilience of polar biota to climate change is essential for predicting the effects of changing environmental conditions for ecosystems. Collembola are abundant in terrestrial polar ecosystems and are integral to food-webs and soil nutrient cycling. Using available literature, we consider resistance (genetic diversity; behavioural avoidance and physiological tolerances; biotic interactions) and recovery potential for polar Collembola. Polar Collembola have high levels of genetic diversity, considerable capacity for behavioural avoidance, wide thermal tolerance ranges, physiological plasticity, generalist-opportunistic feeding habits and broad ecological niches. The biggest threats to the ongoing resistance of polar Collembola are increasing levels of dispersal (gene flow), increased mean and extreme temperatures, drought, changing biotic interactions, and the arrival and spread of invasive species. If resistance capacities are insufficient, numerous studies have highlighted that while some species can recover from disturbances quickly, complete community-level recovery is exceedingly slow. Species dwelling deeper in the soil profile may be less able to resist climate change and may not recover in ecologically realistic timescales given the current rate of climate change. Ultimately, diverse communities are more likely to have species or populations that are able to resist or recover from disturbances. While much of the Arctic has comparatively high levels of diversity and phenotypic plasticity; areas of Antarctica have extremely low levels of diversity and are potentially much more vulnerable to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare R. Beet
- Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato - University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Ian D. Hogg
- Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato - University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Polar Knowledge Canada, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada
| | - S. Craig Cary
- Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato - University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Ian R. McDonald
- Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato - University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Brent J. Sinclair
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Zhang W, Jiao Y, Zhu R, Rhew RC, Sun B, Wang X. Atmospheric CCl 4 degradation in Antarctic tundra soils and the evaluation on its partial atmospheric lifetime with respect to soil. Sci Total Environ 2022; 835:155449. [PMID: 35483473 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is an anthropogenic gas with a long atmospheric lifetime and can catalyze the destruction of stratospheric ozone. Natural soils are believed to be important and widespread sinks of atmospheric CCl4, although poorly characterized due to a limited number of measurements. In this study, for the first time in situ static-chamber measurements and laboratory-based incubations for CCl4 fluxes were conducted at coastal Antarctic tundra. Results showed that soil in remote Antarctica is also acting as a CCl4 sink, with an average uptake rate of -2.2 ± 0.6 nmol m-2 d-1, which is comparable to the reported soil sinks in other regions of the world. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was found across different types of tundra, such normal upland tundra, coastal marsh tundra, and tundra in the sea animal colonies. Soil CCl4 fluxes did not show significant correlations (p > 0.05) with soil moisture, pH, TOC, TN, TP and Cl contents. Laboratory-based anoxic incubations showed that the uptake rates of CCl4 in tundra soil were suppressed; post-thermal sterilization incubations showed that soil CCl4 sink was enhanced; these results suggested that CCl4 degradation in tundra soil was likely an abiotic process preferring oxic environments. A rough extrapolation suggested that Antarctic tundra may degrade about 2.4 metric tons of atmospheric CCl4 each year. Combining soil CCl4 fluxes from this study and other literature reports, CCl4 partial lifetime with respect to the soil sink was evaluated to be 354 (235-474) years, which supported the recent viewpoint that the soil sink of CCl4 is smaller than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Yi Jiao
- Department of Geography, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Renbin Zhu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
| | - Robert C Rhew
- Department of Geography, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States; Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Bowen Sun
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Anhui Environmental Monitoring Center Station, Hefei, Anhui 230071, China
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Beltrán-Sanz N, Raggio J, Gonzalez S, Dal Grande F, Prost S, Green A, Pintado A, Sancho LG. Climate change leads to higher NPP at the end of the century in the Antarctic Tundra: Response patterns through the lens of lichens. Sci Total Environ 2022; 835:155495. [PMID: 35472357 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Poikilohydric autotrophs are the main colonizers of the permanent ice-free areas in the Antarctic tundra biome. Global climate warming and the small human footprint in this ecosystem make it especially vulnerable to abrupt changes. Elucidating the effects of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem is challenging because it mainly comprises poikilohydric species, which are greatly influenced by microtopographic factors. In the present study, we investigated the potential effects of climate change on the metabolic activity and net primary photosynthesis (NPP) in the widespread lichen species Usnea aurantiaco-atra. Long-term monitoring of chlorophyll a fluorescence in the field was combined with photosynthetic performance measurements in laboratory experiments in order to establish the daily response patterns under biotic and abiotic factors at micro- and macro-scales. Our findings suggest that macroclimate is a poor predictor of NPP, thereby indicating that microclimate is the main driver due to the strong effects of microtopographic factors on cryptogams. Metabolic activity is also crucial for estimating the NPP, which is highly dependent on the type, distribution, and duration of the hydration sources available throughout the year. Under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, metabolic activity will increase slightly compared with that at present due to the increased precipitation events predicted in MIROC5. Temperature is highlighted as the main driver for NPP projections, and thus climate warming will lead to an average increase in NPP of 167-171% at the end of the century. However, small changes in other drivers such as light and relative humidity may strongly modify the metabolic activity patterns of poikilohydric autotrophs, and thus their NPP. Species with similar physiological response ranges to the species investigated in the present study are expected to behave in a similar manner provided that liquid water is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Beltrán-Sanz
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - José Raggio
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergi Gonzalez
- Antarctic Group, Spanish Meteorological Service (AEMET), Spain
| | - Francesco Dal Grande
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Prost
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria; University of Veterinary Medicine, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Savoyenstrasse 1a, A-1160 Vienna, Austria; Natural History Museum Vienna, Central Research Laboratories, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria; South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Allan Green
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Pintado
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Leopoldo García Sancho
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Fang S, Li T, Zhang P, Liu C, Cong B, Liu S. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal the adaptation of Antarctic moss Pohlia nutans to drought stress. Front Plant Sci 2022; 13:924162. [PMID: 36035699 PMCID: PMC9403716 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.924162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Most regions of the Antarctic continent are experiencing increased dryness due to global climate change. Mosses and lichens are the dominant vegetation of the ice-free areas of Antarctica. However, the molecular mechanisms of these Antarctic plants adapting to drought stress are less documented. Here, transcriptome and metabolome analyses were employed to reveal the responses of an Antarctic moss (Pohlia nutans subsp. LIU) to drought stress. We found that drought stress made the gametophytes turn yellow and curled, and enhanced the contents of malondialdehyde and proline, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Totally, 2,451 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were uncovered under drought treatment. The representative DEGs are mainly involved in ROS-scavenging and detoxification, flavonoid metabolism pathway, plant hormone signaling pathway, lipids metabolism pathway, transcription factors and signal-related genes. Meanwhile, a total of 354 differentially changed metabolites (DCMs) were detected in the metabolome analysis. Flavonoids and lipids were the most abundant metabolites and they accounted for 41.53% of the significantly changed metabolites. In addition, integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed co-expression patterns of flavonoid and long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis genes and their metabolites. Finally, qPCR analysis demonstrated that the expression levels of stress-related genes were significantly increased. These genes included those involved in ABA signaling pathway (NCED3, PP2C, PYL, and SnAK2), jasmonate signaling pathway (AOC, AOS, JAZ, and OPR), flavonoid pathway (CHS, F3',5'H, F3H, FLS, FNS, and UFGT), antioxidant and detoxifying functions (POD, GSH-Px, Prx and DTX), and transcription factors (ERF and DREB). In summary, we speculated that P. nutans were highly dependent on ABA and jasmonate signaling pathways, ROS scavenging, flavonoids and fatty acid metabolism in response to drought stress. These findings present an important knowledge for assessing the impact of coastal climate change on Antarctic basal plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Fang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
| | - Pengying Zhang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chenlin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
| | - Bailin Cong
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, China
| | - Shenghao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Fuzhou University, Jinjiang, China
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50
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McCarthy JS, Wallace SMN, Brown KE, King CK, Nielsen UN, Allinson G, Reichman SM. Preliminary investigation of effects of copper on a terrestrial population of the antarctic rotifer Philodina sp. Chemosphere 2022; 300:134413. [PMID: 35385763 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial microinvertebrates in Antarctica are potentially exposed to contaminants due to the concentration of human activity on ice-free areas of the continent. As such, knowledge of the response of Antarctic microinvertebrates to contaminants is important to determine the extent of anthropogenic impacts. Antarctic Philodina sp. were extracted from soils and mosses at Casey station, East Antarctica and exposed to aqueous Cu for 96 h. The Philodina sp. was sensitive to excess Cu, with concentrations of 36 μg L-1 Cu (48 h) and 24 μg L-1 Cu (96 h) inhibiting activity by 50%. This is the first study to be published describing the ecotoxicologically derived sensitivity of a rotifer from a terrestrial population to metals, and an Antarctic rotifer to contaminants. It is also the first study to utilise bdelloid rotifer cryptobiosis (chemobiosis) as a sublethal ecotoxicological endpoint. This preliminary investigation highlights the need for further research into the responses of terrestrial Antarctic microinvertebrates to contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan S McCarthy
- Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management (CAPIM), University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, 3010, Australia; School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Stephanie M N Wallace
- Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management (CAPIM), University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, 3010, Australia; School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Kathryn E Brown
- Environmental Protection Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston TAS, 7050, Australia.
| | - Catherine K King
- Environmental Protection Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston TAS, 7050, Australia.
| | - Uffe N Nielsen
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith NSW, 2751, Australia.
| | - Graeme Allinson
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC, 3000, Australia.
| | - Suzie M Reichman
- Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management (CAPIM), University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, 3010, Australia; School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, 3010, Australia.
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