The crucial role of microbes of the soil in dealing with its consequences climate change sheds light on a pioneering research, with the participation of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). The findings of the research, which were published in the scientific journal Nature, one of the most authoritative in the world, reveal that microbes present predictable and consistent reactions in extreme climatic events, such as drought, flood, increased temperature and frost.

From Greece, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Dr. Maria Tsiafouli (EDIP) from the Department of Biology, played a central role in the collection and processing of soil samples from Hortiatis Thessaloniki and in the investigation and evaluation of the data. The soil samples from both Greece and the other countries were subjected to simulations of extreme climate events, while a series of DNA analyzes were performed to determine the composition, diversity and activity of the microbial communities.

Remarkably, soil microbes had a similar response to both drought as well as in frost a fact related to mechanisms of resistance of microbes to the lack/unavailability of water (ice is water unavailable to organisms). Of the extreme climatic events examined, the increased temperature and the flood had the greatest impact, especially for the lands from the Mediterranean countries, such as Greece. This result was less expected and needs special attention in the context of climate crisis management.

The importance of soil microbes

Germs play a role vital role in the functioning of ecosystems. They contribute to the recycling of carbon, affecting its storage in the soil and carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, understanding their behavior under extreme conditions is crucial for maintaining soil health, agricultural production and mitigating climate crises.

An optimistic finding of the research is the existence of regions in the genetic material of microbes, regardless of their region of origin, that give them the ability to enter “resistant forms”, temporarily stopping their activity, so that they can survive under extreme conditions. This feature paves the way for the development of solutions that harness microbes in managing ecosystems and adapting to climate change.

Management and adaptation to Greek conditions

Research shows that soil protection from climate change cannot be relied upon general strategies. Instead, tailored management is required per region and case. In Greece, the biggest challenges arise from the increasing frequency of floods and heat waves, with Mediterranean microbial communities being particularly vulnerable to them.

The knowledge gained can guide policies to conserve biodiversity and protect soils to ensure agricultural sustainability, carbon management and ecosystem resilience.

Research identity

The investigation, which started the 2018is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the field of studying the response of soil microbes to extreme climate events. It includes sampling of 30 grassland ecosystems in eight different biogeographic zones of Europe (Alpine, Arctic, Sub-Arctic, Atlantic, Northern, Continental, Mediterranean, Steppe), which ensures representativeness and comparative assessment of microbial diversity. It involved 20 Universities and research institutes, led by the University of Manchester (Dr. Chris Knight, Prof. Franciska de Vries) and funded by NERC (NE/P01206X/1).

The research was implemented in the framework of the program “Developing a trait-based framework for predicting soil microbial community response to extreme events (Development of a framework for predicting the response of the soil microbial community to extreme climatic events based on its characteristics)”.