Predicting climate-change impacts on the global glacier-fed stream microbiome

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56426-4
• Publication Date: 2025-02-01T20:10:06Z
• Authors: Massimo Bourquin; Hannes Peter; Grégoire Michoud; Susheel Bhanu Busi; Tyler J. Kohler; Andrew L. Robison; Mike Styllas; Leïla Ezzat; Aileen U. Geers; Matthias Huss; Stilianos Fodelia...; ; Michael Styllas; Martina Schön; Matteo Tolosano; Vincent de Staercke; Tyler J. Kohler; Tom J. Battin
• Keywords: Science; Q; ecological modelling; microbial ecology; water microbiology; Article

The shrinkage of glaciers and the vanishing glacier-fed streams (GFSs) are emblematic climate change. However, forecasts how GFS microbiome structure function will change under projected scenarios lacking. Combining 2,333 prokaryotic metagenome-assembled genomes with climatic, glaciological, environmental data collected by Vanishing Glaciers project from 164 GFSs draining Earth's major mountain ranges, we here predict future until end century various scenarios. Our model framework is rooted in a space-for-time substitution design leverages statistical learning approaches. We that declining selection promotes primary production GFSs, stimulating both bacterial biomass biodiversity. Concomitantly, predictions suggest phylogenetic entire clades at risk. Furthermore, genomic projections reveal functions shift, intensified solar energy acquisition pathways, heterotrophy algal-bacterial interactions. Altogether, 'greener' world's accompanied loss have adapted to harshness, consequences for ecosystem functioning.