Biomedical
Distribution and Metabolic Activities of Marine Microbes in Response to Natural and Anthropogenic Stressors
Gabriella Caruso,
Kai Ziervogel
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
As a consequence of climate change and increased human pressure, aquatic ecosystems are experiencing natural and anthropogenic stressors and events such as temperature warming, acidification, biodiversity loss, and degraded water quality [...]
Key Questions
1. How do marine microbes respond to natural stressors?
Marine microbes adapt by modifying their metabolic activities to cope with changes like temperature variations, salinity shifts, and nutrient availability, ensuring survival and maintaining ecosystem functions.
2. What impact do anthropogenic stressors have on marine microbial communities?
Human-induced stressors, such as pollution and climate change, disrupt microbial communities, leading to changes in microbial diversity, function, and ecosystem stability.
3. How do metabolic activities of marine microbes change under stress conditions?
Under stress, microbial metabolism adjusts to prioritize survival, often shifting toward more resilient metabolic pathways or energy conservation mechanisms.
4. What role do microbial distributions play in understanding ecosystem health?
The distribution of marine microbes helps track ecosystem health, as changes can indicate alterations in environmental conditions, pollution levels, or climate impacts.
