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Trends in Antarctic soil fungal research in the context of environmental changes

  • Environmental Microbiology - Review
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Abstract

Antarctic soils represent one of the most pristine environments on Earth, where highly adapted and often endemic microbial species withstand multiple extremes. Specifically, fungal diversity is extremely low in Antarctic soils and species distribution and diversity are still not fully characterized in the continent. Despite the unique features of this environment and the international interest in its preservation, several factors pose severe threats to the conservation of inhabiting ecosystems. In this light, we aimed to provide an overview of the effects on fungal communities of the main changes endangering the soils of the continent. Among these, the increasing human presence, both for touristic and scientific purposes, has led to increased use of fuels for transport and energy supply, which has been linked to an increase in unintentional environmental contamination. It has been reported that several fungal species have evolved cellular processes in response to these soil contamination episodes, which may be exploited for restoring contaminated areas at low temperatures. Additionally, the effects of climate change are another significant threat to Antarctic ecosystems, with the expected merging of previously isolated ecosystems and their homogenization. A possible reduction of biodiversity due to the disappearance of well-adapted, often endemic species, as well as an increase of biodiversity, due to the spreading of non-native, more competitive species have been suggested. Despite some studies describing the specialization of fungal communities and their correlation with environmental parameters, our comprehension of how soil communities may respond to these changes remains limited. The majority of studies attempting to precisely define the effects of climate change, including in situ and laboratory simulations, have mainly focused on the bacterial components of these soils, and further studies are necessary, including the other biotic components.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Italian National Antarctic Research Program for funding sampling campaigns and research activities in Italy in the frame of PNRA projects. This work was supported by the Italian National Program for Antarctic Researches [grant number PNRA0000005]. Dr. Laura Bertini is also acknowledged for providing a picture of the maritime Antarctic landscape.

Funding

This work was supported by the Italian National Program for Antarctic Researches (PNRA), grant numbers PNRA18_00015, PNRA_0000005.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy

    Laura Zucconi, Giorgia Cavallini & Fabiana Canini

  2. National Research Council, Institute of Polar Sciences, Messina, Italy

    Laura Zucconi

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  1. Laura Zucconi
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  2. Giorgia Cavallini
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  3. Fabiana Canini
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Correspondence to Laura Zucconi.

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Zucconi, L., Cavallini, G. & Canini, F. Trends in Antarctic soil fungal research in the context of environmental changes. Braz J Microbiol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-024-01333-x

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