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Melting Mountains, Shifting Microbiomes: Reconsidering Microbial Roles in Post-Glacial Ecosystem Services
Anil Kumar1,2, Nishma Dahal3, Sangeet Lamichhaney3
1Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
None:
The coldest biomes on Earth are mountains with permanent glaciers and permafrost, vulnerable to climate change. These biomes have experienced marked changes and are projected to undergo accelerated transformation due to elevation-dependent warming. While the physical and vegetative responses to glacial retreat are well documented, associated microbial and biochemical shifts remain poorly understood. During deglaciation, newly exposed forefields undergo rapid physical, chemical, and ecological transitions, selecting for specialised microbial communities that mediate ecosystem development through nutrient cycling, soil formation, carbon storage, and early plant establishment. These early-stage microbiomes should not be viewed as passive responders but as active ecosystem engineers shaping post-glacial landscapes and influencing water quality, biodiversity, and downstream ecosystem services. Ignoring microbial contributions in climate assessments risks underestimating ecosystem trajectories and weakening adaptation strategies. This review highlights the need to integrate microbial processes into mountain sustainability frameworks to support informed management, conservation, and long-term ecosystem resilience.
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