03/11/2024How the soil microbiome recovers after environmental calamity
A new study from MSU shows how soil microbes near the Centralia mine fire could provide clues to help alleviate effects of climate change.
By analyzing both DNA and RNA from soil microbes near the Centralia mine fire, Michigan State University researchers have discovered new information about how nature responds to and potentially recovers from unnatural disasters.
Published in the journal Ecology Letters, the research could provide insights to help restore soil health in the face of other environmental disturbances caused by humans, including climate change.
“Many people don’t realize that an incredible number of soil microbes are simply not active and functioning at any given time. This is an important point because the active microbes are the ones that contribute to ecosystem functions,” said Ashley Shade, the principal investigator of the new report. “I think this is special about this study because most research does not consider this question of who’s active and who’s not.”
