MICROLINK
Microbial biodiversity in alpine streams (MICROLINK)
The primary goal of the project is to analyze the functional
response of alpine aquatic bacteria to changes in water source that can result
from landscape transformation such as those expected from glacial retreat
induced by global warming. The project will evaluate important drivers (e.g.,
water source chemistry, organic matter inputs) that influence aquatic bacteria
abundance and composition within alpine ecosystems and examine how ecological
linkages between terrestrial and aquatic alpine ecosystems, e.g. seasonal
changes in water source and organic matter inputs, affect aquatic microbial
composition and function. The project will also experimentally test aquatic
bacterial community responses to changes in carbon and nutrients as probable
stressors of alpine ecosystems.
Funding
- Swiss National Science Foundation, grant 3100A0-119735/1
Collaboration
- Chris Robinson, Eawag, Aquatic Ecology
- Stuart Findlay, Institute of Ecosystem Studies, NY