Kathrin Rousk | Cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation in pristine ecosystems
Channel: CyanoWorld
Date: 2020-12-11

Kathrin Rousk - University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Homepage: https://www1.bio.ku.dk/english/research/te/ecosystem-ecology/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathrin_rousk

Cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation in pristine ecosystems: Uncovering the climatic, ecological, and molecular control mechanisms

Nitrogen (N2) fixation performed by moss-associated cyanobacteria is one of the main sources of new N input in pristine ecosystems like boreal forests and arctic tundra. Here, moss-cyanobacteria associations can contribute more than 50% to total ecosystem N input, thereby sustaining plant productivity in these pristine systems. However, N2 fixation in mosses is strongly influenced by abiotic factors, such as moisture and temperature. Here, I will present results from field and laboratory assessments on the controls of moss-associated N2 fixation, and I will give insights into our current research on moss host specificity and cyanobacterial community composition on mosses across climates. Finally, I will give a brief outlook on our future plans on identifying the nature of the relationship mosses and associated cyanobacteria share.

This talk is part of the CyanoWorld online seminar series, hosted by Nicolas Schmelling and Ilka Axmann, and was held on Zoom on December 10th, 2020.

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