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Biogeographical Distribution of River Microbial Communities in Atlantic Catchments
Alejandra Goldenberg-Vilar1, María Morán-Luis1, David R Vieites2
1IHCantabria-Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
Environmental Microbiology Reports
|January 8, 2025
Summary
River microbes
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Microbes are vital in river ecosystems, impacting energy flow, sustainability, and climate.
- Understanding how microbial communities respond to large-scale factors in river networks remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze microbial community richness and composition across European Atlantic river networks.
- To identify the key drivers influencing microbial diversity and composition in these ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing was employed to assess microbial communities.
- Data were collected across six distinct European Atlantic catchments.
Main Results:
- Land use significantly impacts eukaryotic microbial communities.
- Climate and geology are critical drivers for prokaryotic microbial communities.
- Distinct regional patterns were observed, with significant differences between warmer/drier and cooler/wetter regions.
Conclusions:
- Microbial community structure in rivers is shaped by a combination of land use, climate, and geology.
- Regional environmental conditions strongly influence microbial composition.
- Specific microbial taxa may serve as indicators for global change impacts, such as temperature increases and water scarcity.
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