Exploring How Microbes Can Shed Light on Ancient Climate Conditions | Tor Einar Møller

Feb 9, 2022 | biology, earth and environment, trending

Original Article Reference

This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Microbial Community Structure in Arctic Lake Sediments Reflect Variations in Holocene Climate Conditions’, in Frontiers in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01520

About this episode

To study the climate of the ancient past, researchers look for its fingerprints in deep marine and lake sediments. Within these geological records are large and active microbial communities that may hold other clues about past environmental conditions and transitions. Tor Einar Møller [Tore Ee-naar Moe-lerr], a doctoral candidate at the University of Bergen, Norway, examined the link between contemporary microbe composition and the ancient climate. In a recent paper, he demonstrates that current microbe communities found within sediment cores capture elements of past environments.

 

 

 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International LicenseCreative Commons License

What does this mean?

Share: You can copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format

Adapt: You can change, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Credit: You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.

More episodes

Prof. Mark Kimsey | The Earth’s Blueprint: How Soil Origins Guide Forest Management

Prof. Mark Kimsey | The Earth’s Blueprint: How Soil Origins Guide Forest Management

Forests are more than just a collection of trees; they are dynamic ecosystems that depend on a variety of factors to thrive. One of the most crucial yet often overlooked components of these ecosystems is the soil. Far from being just a passive foundation, soil is an active, living system that plays a vital role in determining the health and productivity of forests. A recent study by emeritus Professor James Moore of the University of Idaho and his colleagues offers a deep dive into how the geological origins of soil influence its chemical properties, shedding light on the intricate relationships between soil, vegetation, and forest management in the Inland Northwest region of the United States.

Professor Paul Treitz | Mapping Environmental Change: Remote Sensing at the Frontlines of the Canadian Arctic

Professor Paul Treitz | Mapping Environmental Change: Remote Sensing at the Frontlines of the Canadian Arctic

The Arctic is warming at a rate of three to four times faster than the global average; a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. This is, in large part, a result of warming atmospheric temperatures causing a decline in snow and ice cover at high latitudes. This, in turn, increases the amount of solar energy absorbed by marine and terrestrial surfaces. As a result, near surface temperatures continue to increase, resulting in a further reduction of snow and ice. This represents a positive feedback where increased temperatures are coupled with a decline in snow and ice cover.

Dr Camille Mellin | Coral Reefs: A Lifeline for Global Nutrition Under Threat

Dr Camille Mellin | Coral Reefs: A Lifeline for Global Nutrition Under Threat

Coral reefs are often admired for their breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity, but their significance goes far beyond what meets the eye. These vibrant underwater ecosystems are a vital source of food and nutrition for over 500 million people worldwide, particularly in tropical coastal regions where they serve as the backbone of local fisheries. However, coral reefs are under severe threat from the combined forces of climate change and overfishing, posing significant risks to global food security. In a recent Perspective article, Dr Camille Mellin of the University of Adelaide and her colleagues explored how these changes are impacting the nutritional value of fish that live on coral reefs, revealing important insights into the future of food and nutrition security.

Professor Anne Poelina | The Key to Solving Climate Change May Lay in Indigenous Wisdom

Professor Anne Poelina | The Key to Solving Climate Change May Lay in Indigenous Wisdom

In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Indigenous First Australians are partnering with researchers and together they are pioneering a revolutionary approach to environmental planning and management, called ‘Caring for the River Country’. By blending ancient wisdom, Indigenous First Law and science with Western science, they’re reimagining our relationship with nature and offering a blueprint for global climate action. Professor Anne Poelina at the University of Notre Dame Australia argues that the key to our planet’s future may lie in Indigenous knowledge and wisdom, and ways of conceiving of our natural environment as kin.

Increase the impact of your research

• Good science communication helps people make informed decisions and motivates them to take appropriate and affirmative action.
• Good science communication encourages everyday people to be scientifically literate so that they can analyse the integrity and legitimacy of information.
• Good science communication encourages people into STEM-related fields of study and employment.
• Good public science communication fosters a community around research that includes both members of the public, policymakers and scientists.
• In a recent survey, 75% of people suggested they would prefer to listen to an interesting story than read it.

Step 1 Upload your science paper

Step 2 SciPod script written

Step 3 Voice audio recorded

Step 4 SciPod published