Abstract:
Global change is disproportionately affecting cold
environments (polar and high elevation regions), with
potentially negative impacts on microbial diversity and
functional processes. In most cold environments the
combination of low temperatures, and physical stressors, such
as katabatic wind episodes and limited water availability result
in biotic systems, which are in trophic terms very simple and
primarily driven by microbial communities. Metagenomic
approaches have provided key insights on microbial
communities in these systems and how they may adapt to
stressors and contribute towards mediating crucial
biogeochemical cycles. Here we review, the current knowledge
regarding edaphic-based microbial diversity and functional
processes in Antarctica, and the Artic. Such insights are crucial
and help to establish a baseline for understanding the impact of
climate change on Polar Regions.