Uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of CO2-fixing microorganisms in peatlands

Abstract Microorganisms play a crucial role in the carbon (C) dynamics of peatlands — a major terrestrial C reservoir. Because of their role in C emissions, heterotrophic microorganisms have attracted much attention over the past decades. CO2-fixing microorganisms (CFMs) remained largely overlooked,...

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Main Authors: Marie Le Geay, Kyle Mayers, Anna Sytiuk, Ellen Dorrepaal, Martin Küttim, Mariusz Lamentowicz, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, Béatrice Lauga, Vincent E. J. Jassey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:npj Biodiversity
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00099-1
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author Marie Le Geay
Kyle Mayers
Anna Sytiuk
Ellen Dorrepaal
Martin Küttim
Mariusz Lamentowicz
Eeva-Stiina Tuittila
Béatrice Lauga
Vincent E. J. Jassey
author_facet Marie Le Geay
Kyle Mayers
Anna Sytiuk
Ellen Dorrepaal
Martin Küttim
Mariusz Lamentowicz
Eeva-Stiina Tuittila
Béatrice Lauga
Vincent E. J. Jassey
author_sort Marie Le Geay
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Microorganisms play a crucial role in the carbon (C) dynamics of peatlands — a major terrestrial C reservoir. Because of their role in C emissions, heterotrophic microorganisms have attracted much attention over the past decades. CO2-fixing microorganisms (CFMs) remained largely overlooked, while they could attenuate C emissions. Here, we use metabarcoding and digital droplet PCR to survey microorganisms that potentially fix CO2 in different peatlands. We demonstrate that CFMs are abundant and diverse in peatlands, with on average 1021 CFMs contributing up to 40% of the total bacterial abundance. Using a joint-species distribution model, we identified a core and a specific CFM microbiome, the latter being influenced by temperature and nutrients. Our findings highlight that ASV richness and community structure were direct drivers of CFM abundance, while environmental parameters were indirect drivers. These results provide the basis for a better understanding of the role of CFMs in peatland C cycle inputs.
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issn 2731-4243
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publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series npj Biodiversity
spelling doaj-art-ba4315bb2df84dfb89f82aeac56599392025-08-20T03:05:09ZengNature Portfolionpj Biodiversity2731-42432025-08-014111210.1038/s44185-025-00099-1Uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of CO2-fixing microorganisms in peatlandsMarie Le Geay0Kyle Mayers1Anna Sytiuk2Ellen Dorrepaal3Martin Küttim4Mariusz Lamentowicz5Eeva-Stiina Tuittila6Béatrice Lauga7Vincent E. J. Jassey8Université de Toulouse, Toulouse INP, CNRS, IRD, CRBEMolecular Ecology and Paleogenomics - MEP, NORCE ResearchUniversité de Toulouse, Toulouse INP, CNRS, IRD, CRBEClimate Impacts Research Centre, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå UniversityInstitute of Ecology, School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn UniversityClimate Change Ecology Research Unit, Adam Mickiewicz UniversitySchool of Forest Sciences, Joensuu campus, University of Eastern FinlandUniversite de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, CNRS, IPREMUniversité de Toulouse, Toulouse INP, CNRS, IRD, CRBEAbstract Microorganisms play a crucial role in the carbon (C) dynamics of peatlands — a major terrestrial C reservoir. Because of their role in C emissions, heterotrophic microorganisms have attracted much attention over the past decades. CO2-fixing microorganisms (CFMs) remained largely overlooked, while they could attenuate C emissions. Here, we use metabarcoding and digital droplet PCR to survey microorganisms that potentially fix CO2 in different peatlands. We demonstrate that CFMs are abundant and diverse in peatlands, with on average 1021 CFMs contributing up to 40% of the total bacterial abundance. Using a joint-species distribution model, we identified a core and a specific CFM microbiome, the latter being influenced by temperature and nutrients. Our findings highlight that ASV richness and community structure were direct drivers of CFM abundance, while environmental parameters were indirect drivers. These results provide the basis for a better understanding of the role of CFMs in peatland C cycle inputs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00099-1
spellingShingle Marie Le Geay
Kyle Mayers
Anna Sytiuk
Ellen Dorrepaal
Martin Küttim
Mariusz Lamentowicz
Eeva-Stiina Tuittila
Béatrice Lauga
Vincent E. J. Jassey
Uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of CO2-fixing microorganisms in peatlands
npj Biodiversity
title Uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of CO2-fixing microorganisms in peatlands
title_full Uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of CO2-fixing microorganisms in peatlands
title_fullStr Uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of CO2-fixing microorganisms in peatlands
title_full_unstemmed Uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of CO2-fixing microorganisms in peatlands
title_short Uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of CO2-fixing microorganisms in peatlands
title_sort uncovering diversity and abundance patterns of co2 fixing microorganisms in peatlands
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00099-1
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