Livestock Antibiotics and Rising Temperatures Disrupt Soil Microbial Communities
Published:10 Nov.2021 Source:Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Soils are home to diverse microbial communities that cycle nutrients, support agriculture, and trap carbon -- an important service for climate mitigation. Globally, around 80% of Earth's terrestrial carbon stores are found in soils. Due to climate warming and other human activities that affect soil microorganisms, this important carbon sink is at risk.
A new study led by Jane Lucas, a community ecologist at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, investigated the interactive effects of rising temperatures and a common livestock antibiotic on soil microbes. The research team found that heat and antibiotics disrupt soil microbial communities -- degrading soil microbe efficiency, resilience to future stress, and ability to trap carbon. The work, now available online, will appear in the December issue of Soil Biology and Biochemistry.