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Peddle SD, Hodgson RJ, Borrett RJ, Brachmann S, Davies TC, Erickson TE, Liddicoat C, Muñoz-Rojas M, Robinson JM, Watson CD, Krauss SL, Breed MF. Practical applications of soil microbiota to improve ecosystem restoration: current knowledge and future directions. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39075839 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Soil microbiota are important components of healthy ecosystems. Greater consideration of soil microbiota in the restoration of biodiverse, functional, and resilient ecosystems is required to address the twin global crises of biodiversity decline and climate change. In this review, we discuss available and emerging practical applications of soil microbiota into (i) restoration planning, (ii) direct interventions for shaping soil biodiversity, and (iii) strategies for monitoring and predicting restoration trajectories. We show how better planning of restoration activities to account for soil microbiota can help improve progress towards restoration targets. We show how planning to embed soil microbiota experiments into restoration projects will permit a more rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of different restoration methods, especially when complemented by statistical modelling approaches that capitalise on existing data sets to improve causal understandings and prioritise research strategies where appropriate. In addition to recovering belowground microbiota, restoration strategies that include soil microbiota can improve the resilience of whole ecosystems. Fundamentally, restoration planning should identify appropriate reference target ecosystem attributes and - from the perspective of soil microbiota - comprehensibly consider potential physical, chemical and biological influences on recovery. We identify that inoculating ecologically appropriate soil microbiota into degraded environments can support a range of restoration interventions (e.g. targeted, broad-spectrum and cultured inoculations) with promising results. Such inoculations however are currently underutilised and knowledge gaps persist surrounding successful establishment in light of community dynamics, including priority effects and community coalescence. We show how the ecological trajectories of restoration sites can be assessed by characterising microbial diversity, composition, and functions in the soil. Ultimately, we highlight practical ways to apply the soil microbiota toolbox across the planning, intervention, and monitoring stages of ecosystem restoration and address persistent open questions at each stage. With continued collaborations between researchers and practitioners to address knowledge gaps, these approaches can improve current restoration practices and ecological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn D Peddle
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Riley J Hodgson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Ryan J Borrett
- SoilsWest, Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Stella Brachmann
- University of Waikato Te Whare Wananga o Waikato Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Tarryn C Davies
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Todd E Erickson
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Science, Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
- Centre for Engineering Innovation, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Craig Liddicoat
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Miriam Muñoz-Rojas
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Seville, C. San Fernando, Sevilla, Spain
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Jake M Robinson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Carl D Watson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Siegfried L Krauss
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Science, Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Martin F Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
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Fickling NW, Abbott CA, Brame JE, Cando‐Dumancela C, Liddicoat C, Robinson JM, Breed MF. Light-dark cycles may influence in situ soil bacterial networks and diurnally-sensitive taxa. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11018. [PMID: 38357595 PMCID: PMC10864733 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Soil bacterial taxa have important functional roles in ecosystems (e.g. nutrient cycling, soil formation, plant health). Many factors influence their assembly and regulation, with land cover types (e.g. open woodlands, grasslands), land use types (e.g. nature reserves, urban green space) and plant-soil feedbacks being well-studied factors. However, changes in soil bacterial communities in situ over light-dark cycles have received little attention, despite many plants and some bacteria having endogenous circadian rhythms that could influence soil bacterial communities. We sampled surface soils in situ across 24-h light-dark cycles (at 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, 18:00) at two land cover types (remnant vegetation vs. cleared, grassy areas) and applied 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to investigate changes in bacterial communities. We show that land cover type strongly affected soil bacterial diversity, with soils under native vegetation expressing 15.4%-16.4% lower alpha diversity but 4.9%-10.6% greater heterogeneity than soils under cleared vegetation. In addition, we report time-dependent and site-specific changes in bacterial network complexity and between 598-922 ASVs showing significant changes in relative abundance across times. Native site node degree (bacterial interactions) at the phylum level was 16.0% higher in the early morning than in the afternoon/evening. Our results demonstrate for the first time that light-dark cycles have subtle yet important effects on soil bacterial communities in situ and that land cover influences these dynamics. We provide a new view of soil microbial ecology and suggest that future studies should consider the time of day when sampling soil bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole W. Fickling
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Catherine A. Abbott
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Joel E. Brame
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - Craig Liddicoat
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jake M. Robinson
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Martin F. Breed
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
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Robinson JM, Hodgson R, Krauss SL, Liddicoat C, Malik AA, Martin BC, Mohr JJ, Moreno-Mateos D, Muñoz-Rojas M, Peddle SD, Breed MF. Opportunities and challenges for microbiomics in ecosystem restoration. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1189-1202. [PMID: 37648570 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Microbiomics is the science of characterizing microbial community structure, function, and dynamics. It has great potential to advance our understanding of plant-soil-microbe processes and interaction networks which can be applied to improve ecosystem restoration. However, microbiomics may be perceived as complex and the technology is not accessible to all. The opportunities of microbiomics in restoration ecology are considerable, but so are the practical challenges. Applying microbiomics in restoration must move beyond compositional assessments to incorporate tools to study the complexity of ecosystem recovery. Advances in metaomic tools provide unprecedented possibilities to aid restoration interventions. Moreover, complementary non-omic applications, such as microbial inoculants and biopriming, have the potential to improve restoration objectives by enhancing the establishment and health of vegetation communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake M Robinson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; The Aerobiome Innovation & Research Hub, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Riley Hodgson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Siegfried L Krauss
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, Fraser Avenue, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia; Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Craig Liddicoat
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Ashish A Malik
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Belinda C Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Ooid Scientific, North Lake, WA 6162, Australia
| | - Jakki J Mohr
- College of Business, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - David Moreno-Mateos
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road. Oxford OX1 3QY, UK; Department of Landscape Architecture, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, Quincy Street. Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Basque Center for Climate Change - BC3, Ikerbasque Foundation for Science. Edificio Sede 1, Parque Cientifico UPV, 04940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Miriam Muñoz-Rojas
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal y Ecologia. Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain; Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shawn D Peddle
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Martin F Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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Kadri MS, Singhania RR, Haldar D, Patel AK, Bhatia SK, Saratale G, Parameswaran B, Chang JS. Advances in Algomics technology: Application in wastewater treatment and biofuel production. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 387:129636. [PMID: 37544548 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Advanced sustainable bioremediation is gaining importance with rising global pollution. This review examines microalgae's potential for sustainable bioremediation and process enhancement using multi-omics approaches. Recently, microalgae-bacterial consortia have emerged for synergistic nutrient removal, allowing complex metabolite exchanges. Advanced bioremediation requires effective consortium design or pure culture based on the treatment stage and specific roles. The strain potential must be screened using modern omics approaches aligning wastewater composition. The review highlights crucial research gaps in microalgal bioremediation. It discusses multi-omics advantages for understanding microalgal fitness concerning wastewater composition and facilitating the design of microalgal consortia based on bioremediation skills. Metagenomics enables strain identification, thereby monitoring microbial dynamics during the treatment process. Transcriptomics and metabolomics encourage the algal cell response toward nutrients and pollutants in wastewater. Multi-omics role is also summarized for product enhancement to make algal treatment sustainable and fit for sustainable development goals and growing circular bioeconomy scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sibtain Kadri
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804201, Taiwan
| | - Reeta Rani Singhania
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow 226 029, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dibyajyoti Haldar
- Department of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore 641114, India
| | - Anil Kumar Patel
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow 226 029, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 805029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ganesh Saratale
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Binod Parameswaran
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Trivandrum 695 019, Kerala, India
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taiwan; Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taiwan.
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Tessler M, Cunningham SW, Ingala MR, Warring SD, Brugler MR. An Environmental DNA Primer for Microbial and Restoration Ecology. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:796-808. [PMID: 36735064 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02168-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing-DNA collected from the environment from living cells or shed DNA-was first developed for working with microbes and has greatly benefitted microbial ecologists for decades since. These tools have only become increasingly powerful with the advent of metabarcoding and metagenomics. Most new studies that examine diverse assemblages of bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses lean heavily into eDNA using these newer technologies, as the necessary sequencing technology and bioinformatic tools have become increasingly affordable and user friendly. However, eDNA methods are rapidly evolving, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming to simply keep up with the basics. In this review, we provide a starting point for microbial ecologists who are new to DNA-based methods by detailing the eDNA methods that are most pertinent, including study design, sample collection and storage, selecting the right sequencing technology, lab protocols, equipment, and a few bioinformatic tools. Furthermore, we focus on how eDNA work can benefit restoration and what modifications are needed when working in this subfield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tessler
- Department of Biology, St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA.
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA.
| | - Seth W Cunningham
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Melissa R Ingala
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ, 07940, USA
| | | | - Mercer R Brugler
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, USA
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Mohr JJ, Cummins TM, Floyd TM, Metcalf EC, Callaway RM, Nelson CR. Age, experience, social goals, and engagement with research scientists may promote innovation in ecological restoration. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0274153. [PMID: 37098011 PMCID: PMC10128931 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Innovation in ecological restoration is necessary to achieve the ambitious targets established in United Nations conventions and other global restoration initiatives. Innovation is also crucial for navigating uncertainties in repairing and restoring ecosystems, and thus practitioners often develop innovations at project design and implementation stages. However, innovation in ecological restoration can be hindered by many factors (e.g., time and budget constraints, and project complexity). Theory and research on innovation has been formally applied in many fields, yet explicit study of innovation in ecological restoration remains nascent. To assess the use of innovation in restoration projects, including its drivers and inhibitors, we conducted a social survey of restoration practitioners in the United States. Specifically, we assessed relationships between project-based innovation and traits of the individual practitioner (including, for example, age, gender, experience); company (including, for example, company size and company's inclusion of social goals); project (including, for example, complexity and uncertainty); and project outcomes (such as completing the project on time/on budget and personal satisfaction with the work). We found positive relationships between project-based innovation and practitioner traits (age, gender, experience, engagement with research scientists), one company trait (company's inclusion of social goals in their portfolio), and project traits (project complexity and length). In contrast, two practitioner traits, risk aversion and the use of industry-specific information, were negatively related to project-based innovation. Satisfaction with project outcomes was positively correlated with project-based innovation. Collectively, the results provide insights into the drivers and inhibitors of innovation in restoration and suggest opportunities for research and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakki J Mohr
- College of Business and Institute on Ecosystems, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Tina M Cummins
- W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Theresa M Floyd
- College of Business, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Covelli Metcalf
- W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Ragan M Callaway
- Division of Biological Sciences and Institute on Ecosystems, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Cara R Nelson
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
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Solé R, Levin S. Ecological complexity and the biosphere: the next 30 years. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210376. [PMID: 35757877 PMCID: PMC9234814 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Global warming, habitat loss and overexploitation of limited resources are leading to alarming biodiversity declines. Ecosystems are complex adaptive systems that display multiple alternative states and can shift from one to another in abrupt ways. Some of these tipping points have been identified and predicted by mathematical and computational models. Moreover, multiple scales are involved and potential mitigation or intervention scenarios are tied to particular levels of complexity, from cells to human–environment coupled systems. In dealing with a biosphere where humans are part of a complex, endangered ecological network, novel theoretical and engineering approaches need to be considered. At the centre of most research efforts is biodiversity, which is essential to maintain community resilience and ecosystem services. What can be done to mitigate, counterbalance or prevent tipping points? Using a 30-year window, we explore recent approaches to sense, preserve and restore ecosystem resilience as well as a number of proposed interventions (from afforestation to bioengineering) directed to mitigate or reverse ecosystem collapse. The year 2050 is taken as a representative future horizon that combines a time scale where deep ecological changes will occur and proposed solutions might be effective. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ecological complexity and the biosphere: the next 30 years’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricard Solé
- ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Dr Aiguader 80, Barcelona 08003, Spain.,Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-UPF, Pg Maritim de la Barceloneta 37, Barcelona 08003, Spain.,Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | - Simon Levin
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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