Soil-dwelling microbes play vital roles in ecosystem functioning, but little is known about how their communities respond to climatic changes in tropical regions. Now, a study by Professor Diana López-Alvarez has demonstrated that microbial communities in the soil of Colombia's tropical forests and high-altitude páramos are significantly influenced by seasonal changes, particularly during the dry season.
Using advanced omics techniques, such as metabarcoding, the team analyzed bacterial and fungal communities across eight locations in three distinct ecosystems: tropical dry forest, Andean forest, and páramo, during both the dry and rainy seasons. They found that microbial abundance was generally higher in the dry season and that soil chemical properties had a more substantial influence on bacterial communities during this period.
"Our results suggest that the páramo ecosystem, which is endemic to the Andes and critical for hydrological regulation, is one of the most sensitive to seasonal changes," said Professor López-Alvarez. "This has important implications for understanding how climate variability may impact soil biodiversity in these fragile ecosystems."
The study stands out not only for its regional focus (Colombia holds over 50% of the world's páramo ecosystems) but also for being one of the first to examine microbial seasonal dynamics in tropical soils. This research area has primarily focused on temperate climates with distinct four-season cycles.
Beyond academic significance, the findings lay the groundwork for future ecological and biotechnological applications in tropical soil systems. By enhancing our understanding of microbial seasonality, researchers can more accurately assess how environmental changes may impact biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the resilience of tropical landscapes.
The research provides a baseline for ongoing monitoring efforts, particularly amid global concerns about climate change and land-use transformation in biodiversity-rich regions, such as the Andes.
