Metagenomics unravel distinct taxonomic and functional diversities between terrestrial and aquatic biomes

Microbes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems play crucial roles in driving ecosystem functions, but currently, there is a lack of comparison regarding their taxonomic and functional diversities. Here, we conducted a global analysis to investigate the disparities in microbial taxonomy and microbial-mediated biogeochemical cycles between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Results showed a higher relative abundance of bacteria, especially Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria, in soil than water metagenomes, leading to a greater proportion of genes related to membrane transport, regulatory, and cellular signaling. Moreover, there was a higher abundance of genes associated with carbohydrate, sulfur, and potassium metabolisms in the soil, while those involved in nitrogen and iron metabolisms were more prevalent in the water. Thus, both soil and water microbiomes exhibited unique taxonomic and functional properties associated with biogeochemical processes, providing valuable insights into predicting and understanding the adaptation of microbes in different ecosystems in the face of climate change.