Soil Bacteria Can Fight Climate Change

 By: Melissa Villareal 

The figure shows the detected microbial communities from the three desert plant species. The red points represent the same microbes shared by the three desert plants. Figure taken from Sun et al. 2021.

Climate change has increased the desertification of arid regions. Desertification is the process by which fertile areas degrade and lose bio-productivity. The lands become infertile and hostile to plants and animals. This rapid increase of desertification poses an environmental threat. 

Desert plants can aid in recolonizing desert areas to combat the loss of biodiversity. Three desert plant species continue to thrive even under increased stress caused by climate change because they have high adaptability. A study by Sun and colleagues (2021) show that the microbiota living in these desert plants are key to their survival. These bacteria provide essential nutrients, aid in plant hormone production and protect the hosts from harmful pathogens. These bacteria species can sustain plant growth under extreme abiotic stress! So far two bacteria species have been identified: Streptomyces eurythermus and Streptomyces flaveus. 

Finding methods to combat desertification is important to maintain biodiversity in these arid areas, and offers possible solutions in desert management. Lastly, studying bacterial communities that aid in plant growth in extreme abiotic stress can help the agriculture industries. Microbial tools can increase agricultural productivity in a safer and more sustainable way.

Original Article:

Sun, X., Pei, J., Zhao, L., Ahmad, B.and Huang, L. (2021) Fighting climate change: soil bacteria communities and topography play a role in plant colonization of desert areas. Environ Microbiol.