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Distinct microbial communities across a climatically versatile summit in the Lesotho highlands
Jasmin Patel1, Stefan Grab2, Pieter De Maayer1
1School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa.
Ecology and Evolution
|March 20, 2023
Summary
Soil microbial communities differ based on mountain slope aspect in Lesotho. North and south slopes host more Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, while plateaus have more Acidobacteria, impacting fungal diversity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Soil science
- Ecology
Background:
- Climatological factors significantly influence microbial communities.
- Mountain regions offer unique microclimates for studying soil microorganisms.
- Micro-topography, such as slope aspect, can create distinct environmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate micro-topographically controlled microbial diversity and community structures on a Lesotho mountain summit.
- To determine the impact of north-facing slopes, south-facing slopes, and plateau environments on soil bacterial and fungal communities.
Main Methods:
- Amplicon sequence analysis was used to assess microbial community composition.
- Soil samples were collected from north-facing slopes, south-facing slopes, and a plateau.
- Environmental factors including micro-climatology and plant diversity were considered.
Main Results:
- North- and south-facing slopes showed higher abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes.
- The plateau exhibited a greater presence of Acidobacteria.
- Fungi from the phylum Chytridiomycota were more dominant on the plateau and north-facing slopes.
Conclusions:
- Slope aspect significantly affects bacterial and fungal community structures due to micro-climatic and vegetation influences.
- These findings offer insights into soil microbial diversity in the Lesotho highlands.
- The results help project soil microorganism responses to climate warming in mountain environments.
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