How methane is produced in mangrove ecosystems?
Published in Microbiology
Mangroves are important constituents of the coastal wetlands. They could store atmospheric CO2 as organic matter, so-called “blue carbon”, inhabiting approximately 0.5% of the coast and contributing 10–15% to the global carbon storage. However, mangrove sediment carbon does not remain stored in perpetuity. Some of organic matter are transformed to CH4 and returned to the atmosphere, which has the potential to partially offset blue carbon storage in mangrove sediments. Most pristine mangroves showed low CH4 efflux rate, while mangroves with human disturbances showed significantly higher CH4 efflux rate. Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve (FT) is located in the urban hinterland of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, China (Figure 1). FT is a restricted area since establish of Futian Natural Reserve in 1980s. It is dominated by native, true mangrove flora and is one of the largest mangrove habitats along the southeastern coast of mainland China. It has been reported that methane emission rates in FT range from 242 μmol m−2 day−1 to 124 mmol m−2 day−1.
Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after CO2. Methanogenesis is conducted by methanogens that thrive in strictly anoxic habitats. Methanogens are considered to play important roles in the global carbon cycle and climate change. Methanogens from the phylum Euryarchaeota are currently classified into one class (Methanofastidiosa) and seven orders (Methanococcales, Methanopyrales, Methanobacteriales, Methanomicrobiales, Methanocellales, Methanosarcinales, and Methanomassiliicoccales).
How methane is produced in FT mangrove ecosystems. Previous studies using 16S rRNA gene and genes encoding the methyl-coenzyme M reductase alpha subunit (mcrA) demonstrated that multiple methanogens are widely spread across mangrove sediments. However, the metabolic activity and relative contributions to methane production of diverse methanogens in mangroves remain unclear.
We combined metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses to investigate the metabolic activity and relative contributions of diverse methanogens to methane production in a vertical sediment profile in mangrove ecosystem. We found that Methanomassiliicoccales, Methanofastidiosa, Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales were the four dominant methanogens in FT mangroves. Methanomicrobiales were the most abundant methanogens and Methanomassiliicoccales were the most active methanogens in the analyzed sediment profile. Methanomicrobiales are hydrogenotrophs that utilize H2 and CO2 to produce methane. Methanomicrobiales could consume H2 and cooperate with syntrophic microbes to degrade short-chain fatty acids. Methanomassiliicoccales are methylotrophic methanogens using H2 reduce methyl-compounds for methane production. Methyl-compounds such as trimethylamine (TMA) contribute 35-90% of the methane production in coastal sediments, which could explain why methylotrophic methanogens play an important role in methane production in mangroves. The presented findings imply that Methanomicrobiales and Methanomassiliicoccales play a vital role in methane production in mangroves (Figure 2).
To see the full story, check out the publications in Microbiome. Paper link: https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-020-00876-z
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Harnessing plant microbiomes to improve performance and mechanistic understanding
This is a Cross-Journal Collection with Microbiome, Environmental Microbiome, npj Science of Plants, and npj Biofilms and Microbiomes. Please click here to see the collection page for npj Science of Plants and npj Biofilms and Microbiomes.
Modern agriculture needs to sustainably increase crop productivity while preserving ecosystem health. As soil degradation, climate variability, and diminishing input efficiency continue to threaten agricultural outputs, there is a pressing need to enhance plant performance through ecologically-sound strategies. In this context, plant-associated microbiomes represent a powerful, yet underexploited, resource to improve plant vigor, nutrient acquisition, stress resilience, and overall productivity.
The plant microbiome—comprising bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms inhabiting the rhizosphere, endosphere, and phyllosphere—plays a fundamental role in shaping plant physiology and development. Increasing evidence demonstrates that beneficial microbes mediate key processes such as nutrient solubilization and uptake, hormonal regulation, photosynthetic efficiency, and systemic resistance to (a)biotic stresses. However, to fully harness these capabilities, a mechanistic understanding of the molecular dialogues and functional traits underpinning plant-microbe interactions is essential.
Recent advances in multi-omics technologies, synthetic biology, and high-throughput functional screening have accelerated our ability to dissect these interactions at molecular, cellular, and system levels. Yet, significant challenges remain in translating these mechanistic insights into robust microbiome-based applications for agriculture. Core knowledge gaps include identifying microbial functions that are conserved across environments and hosts, understanding the signaling networks and metabolic exchanges between partners, and predicting microbiome assembly and stability under field conditions.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Reviews, Perspectives, and Meta-analyses that delve into the functional and mechanistic basis of plant-microbiome interactions. We are particularly interested in contributions that integrate molecular microbiology, systems biology, plant physiology, and computational modeling to unravel the mechanisms by which microbial communities enhance plant performance and/or mechanisms employed by plant hosts to assemble beneficial microbiomes. Studies ranging from controlled experimental systems to applied field trials are encouraged, especially those aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental understanding and translational outcomes such as microbial consortia, engineered strains, or microbiome-informed management practices.
Ultimately, this collection aims to advance our ability to rationally design and apply microbiome-based strategies by deepening our mechanistic insight into how plants select beneficial microbiomes and in turn how microbes shape plant health and productivity.
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Microbiome and Reproductive Health
Microbiome is calling for submissions to our Collection on Microbiome and Reproductive Health.
Our understanding of the intricate relationship between the microbiome and reproductive health holds profound translational implications for fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive disorders. To truly advance this field, it is essential to move beyond descriptive and associative studies and focus on mechanistic research that uncovers the functional underpinnings of the host–microbiome interface. Such studies can reveal how microbial communities influence reproductive physiology, including hormonal regulation, immune responses, and overall reproductive health.
Recent advances have highlighted the role of specific bacterial populations in both male and female fertility, as well as their impact on pregnancy outcomes. For example, the vaginal microbiome has been linked to preterm birth, while emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota may modulate reproductive hormone levels. These insights underscore the need for research that explores how and why these microbial influences occur.
Looking ahead, the potential for breakthroughs is immense. Mechanistic studies have the power to drive the development of microbiome-based therapies that address infertility, improve pregnancy outcomes, and reduce the risk of reproductive diseases. Incorporating microbiome analysis into reproductive health assessments could transform clinical practice and, by deepening our understanding of host–microbiome mechanisms, lay the groundwork for personalized medicine in gynecology and obstetrics.
We invite researchers to contribute to this Special Collection on Microbiome and Reproductive Health. Submissions should emphasize functional and mechanistic insights into the host–microbiome relationship. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Microbiome and infertility
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This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being.
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