Chapter 13 Microbial diversity in Sphagnum peatlands

Abstract

Publisher Summary Peat accumulates because the net production of organic matter exceeds its decomposition by microorganisms. Peatlands, and especially Sphagnum-dominated peatlands, were at one time erroneously believed to be devoid of microbial life. In reality, and despite the successful use of Sphagnum mosses as surgical dressings, diapers, or menstrual pads, Sphagnum mosses and peatlands in general are home to a high diversity of microorganisms. In the functional approach, the focus is on the role of microorganisms in the cycling of nutrients, mainly carbon and nitrogen, in the ecosystem. These processes remain poorly understood in peatlands, partly because of the lower funding for research in these ecosystems as compared to others more directly economically relevant. Nevertheless, the important role of peatlands in the global carbon cycle, as carbon pools, sinks, and sources, and the increasing concern about the anthropogenic influence on the greenhouse effect, have resulted in a recent increase in the number of studies in microbial ecology (methanogenic and methanotrophic bacteria) and biogeochemistry of peatlands.