Community Response Research Articles

Immobilized microorganisms to remove petroleum hydrocarbon from wastewater and soil: Mechanisms of enhanced remediation and response of microbial communities

Immobilized microorganisms to remove petroleum hydrocarbon from wastewater and soil: Mechanisms of enhanced remediation and response of microbial communities

Enhancement of aerobic denitrification process on antibiotics removal: Mechanism and efficiency: A review

AbstractTraditionally, the removal of nitrogenous pollutants from wastewater relied on conventional anaerobic denitrification as well as aerobic nitrification and anoxic denitrification. However, anaerobic denitrification is complicated since it requires stringent environmental conditions as well as a large land, therefore, denitrification and nitrification were performed in two separate reactors. Although high pollutant removal efficiency has been achieved via aerobic nitrification and anoxic denitrification, the demerits of this approach include high operational costs. Other traditional nitrogen removal methods include air stripping, reverse osmosis, adsorption, ion exchange, chemical precipitation, advanced oxidation process, and breakpoint chlorination. Traditional nitrogen removal methods are not only complicated but they are also uneconomical due to the high operational costs. Researchers have discovered that denitrification can be carried out by heterotrophic nitrification‐aerobic denitrification (HNAD) microorganisms which remove nitrogen in a single aerobic reactor that does not require stringent operating conditions. Despite the significant effort that researchers have put in, there is still little information known about the mechanisms of antibiotic removal during HNAD. This review begins with an update on the current state of knowledge on the removal of nitrogenous pollutants and antibiotics from wastewater by HNAD. The mechanisms of antibiotic removal via HNAD were examined in detail. Followed by, the enhancement of antibiotics removal via co‐metabolism and oxidation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) as well as the response of microbial communities to antibiotic toxicity. Lastly, the conditions favorable for antibiotic biodegradation and mechanisms for nitrogen removal via HNAD were examined. The findings in this review show that co‐metabolism and oxidation of SMX were the main antibiotic biodegradation mechanisms, pathways for antibiotic removal by co‐metabolism and oxidation of SMX were also proposed in the discussion. This research indicated the potential of aerobic denitrification in the removal of antibiotics from wastewater. Understanding the mechanisms and pathways of antibiotic removal by HNAD helps wastewater engineers and researchers apply the technology more efficiently.Practitioner Points The mechanisms of antibiotic removal via HNAD were examined in detail. Co‐metabolism and oxidation of SMX were the main antibiotic biodegradation mechanisms. Pathways for antibiotic removal by co‐metabolism and oxidation of SMX were also proposed. Conditions favorable for antibiotic biodegradation were examined. This research indicated the potential of aerobic denitrification in the removal of antibiotics from wastewater.

Effects of low temperature on rhizosphere phosphate-mineralizing microbial populations in constructed wetlands.

Effects of low temperature on rhizosphere phosphate-mineralizing microbial populations in constructed wetlands.

Reduced soil ecosystem multifunctionality is associated with altered complexity of the bacterial-fungal interkingdom network under salinization pressure.

Reduced soil ecosystem multifunctionality is associated with altered complexity of the bacterial-fungal interkingdom network under salinization pressure.

Faunal Responses to Habitat Disturbance: Do the Principles Explaining Responses of Ant Communities Also Apply to Terrestrial Reptiles?

Disturbance is fundamental to the state and dynamics of biological communities, and understanding biotic responses to disturbance is critical to effective biodiversity conservation. However, a predictive understanding of how faunal communities respond to habitat disturbance remains elusive. Recently, a conceptual framework centred on habitat openness was developed for understanding ant responses to disturbance. It proposes that habitat openness is a fundamental driver of variation among ant communities, and that the primary impacts of disturbance are mediated through ant functional responses to changes in openness. Like ants, terrestrial reptiles are ectotherms and are therefore especially sensitive to disturbance-induced increases in habitat openness because of changes in the thermal environment. Therefore, reptiles might also be expected to conform to a disturbance framework based on habitat openness. Here we assess the extent to which this occurs by combining a quantitative analysis of recent publications with a broader synthesis of the literature. We found strong support for the framework applying to terrestrial reptiles. We suggest that the framework can be strengthened by a mechanistic understanding of functional traits in relation to habitat openness. For ectotherms, ecophysiological traits could be particularly important for responding to disturbance-mediated changes in microclimate, but habitat openness also influences other important factors such as food availability and predation. Finally, the framework appears to be highly applicable to a wider range of faunal groups beyond ants and reptiles.

Investigation of the responses of soil invertebrate communities to four decades of prescribed fire frequency levels in semi-arid savanna rangelands

Investigation of the responses of soil invertebrate communities to four decades of prescribed fire frequency levels in semi-arid savanna rangelands

Response of wastewater treatment performance and bacterial community to original and aged polyvinyl chloride microplastics in sequencing batch reactors.

Response of wastewater treatment performance and bacterial community to original and aged polyvinyl chloride microplastics in sequencing batch reactors.

Unveiling Microbial Dynamics: How Forest Aging Shapes the Microbial Communities of Pinus massoniana.

Plants host diverse microbial communities essential for nutrient acquisition, growth, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite their importance, the variation and stability of these communities during forest succession remain poorly understood. This study investigated the microbial communities in Pinus massoniana forests at different stand ages (12, 22, 30, and 40 years). Results showed that the phyllosphere and roots of P. massoniana harbor diverse microbial communities, which shift dynamically with forest aging. Bacterial species diversity consistently surpassed fungal diversity across all habitats. Forest aging significantly influenced the alpha diversity of phyllosphere and soil microbes, whereas root-associated microbial diversity remained stable. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that bacterial communities formed more complex networks than fungal communities and exhibited greater stability. Functional annotation confirmed that bacterial communities were functionally more stable, predominantly involving metabolic processes. In contrast, endophytes dominated the phyllosphere fungi, while ectomycorrhizal fungi were prevalent in root and soil fungal communities. Environmental factors, including total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available potassium, and pH, emerged as key drivers of microbial dynamics. These findings provide novel insights into the differing responses of bacterial and fungal communities to forest aging, highlighting the critical role of ecological niches in shaping microbial dynamics.

Responses of Soil Microbial Communities and Functions in an Alpine Grassland of the Qinghai Lake Basin With Grazing Disturbance.

Soil ecosystems host diverse microbial communities, which are influenced by various environmental factors, soil properties, vegetation characteristics, and anthropogenic activities, such as livestock grazing. Grazing serves as a critical management practice in the alpine grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, affecting soil microbial communities and their functions through processes such as forage consumption, trampling, and the deposition of feces and urine. In this study, we utilized the scientific and technological platform "Alpine Grassland-Livestock Adaptive Management Technology Platform" in Qinghai Province to examine the effects of grazing intensity on soil microbial communities and functions. Experimental treatments included different grazing intensities (light grazing, moderate grazing, and heavy grazing), along with a no-grazing control. Metagenomic sequencing technology was employed to investigate the impact of these grazing intensities on the microbial community composition and functional attributes in alpine grasslands. The results indicated that: (1) Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi were the dominant bacterial communities in the soil, while Ascomycota, Mucoromycota, and Basidiomycota represented the primary fungal communities. (2) Grazing had a greater impact on soil fungal communities than on bacterial communities, altering the Shannon diversity index and Simpson index of soil fungal communities. (3) Soil pH and soil moisture were important factors influencing changes in soil microbial communities. (4) Functional analysis focusing on the "nitrogen metabolism" pathway indicated that under light grazing conditions, the relative abundance of multiple functional genes, particularly those involved in denitrification, decreased.

Periodic flooding alters ecological processes and carbon metabolism efficiency of riparian soil microbial communities in the three Gorges Reservoir area, China.

Periodic flooding alters ecological processes and carbon metabolism efficiency of riparian soil microbial communities in the three Gorges Reservoir area, China.

Assessment of temperature dynamics during methane oxidation in a pilot scale compost biofilter.

Biological methane oxidation can sustain high temperatures in organic matrices, such as landfill covers and compost biofilters. This study investigates the temperature dynamics, methane removal efficiency, and microbial community responses in a pilot scale compost biofilter under three methane concentrations (2, 4, and 8% v v-1 in air) with a 23-minute empty bed residence time. Complete methane removal was achieved at 2%, with compost bed temperatures reaching 51°C. At 4% and 8%, temperatures exceeded 60°C, reducing methane removal efficiency to 97% and 75%, respectively, with maximum removal rates of 75g m-3h-1. Thermotolerant Methylocaldum dominated at temperatures above 50°C. Elevated temperatures shifted microbial metabolism from anabolism toward catabolism, likely due to thermal stress, as indicated by outlet gas profiles. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing operating conditions, such as moisture control and heat extraction, to balance thermal performance and microbial activity for effective methane biofiltration.

Effects of nitrogen addition and seasonal changes on moss biocrust soil fungal communities in a temperate desert

Effects of nitrogen addition and seasonal changes on moss biocrust soil fungal communities in a temperate desert

Plant Community Responses to Climate Change: The Importance of Ecological Context Dependencies

Plant Community Responses to Climate Change: The Importance of Ecological Context Dependencies

GLOSSAQUA: A global dataset of size spectra across aquatic ecosystems.

Body size is a key trait in ecology due to its influence on metabolism and many other life-history traits that affect population and community responses to environmental variation as well as ecosystem properties. The size spectrum represents the relationship between abundance (or biomass) and body size, independent of species identity. Size spectrum parameters, such as the slope or intercept, have been applied extensively as indicators of ecological status across multiple ecosystem types. The GLOSSAQUA dataset includes data from mainly heterotrophic communities composed of single (e.g., zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, or fish) to multiple taxonomic groups (e.g., from primary consumers to apex predators, and phytoplankton to large zooplankton), across diverse spatial and temporal scales, from surveys in freshwater (43% studies), marine (52% studies) and brackish (5% studies) ecosystems. In total, we compiled a unique global dataset of 8459 size spectrum slopes or exponents, 5237 intercepts, and 4,497 linearity coefficients (i.e., defined by the R2 of the linear fit of the size spectrum) from 127 articles and gray literature (i.e., unpublished datasets). The current dataset aims to help identify the main drivers shaping aquatic size spectrum parameters at a global scale and contribute to cross-ecosystem comparisons. GLOSSAQUA can serve to explore questions such as factors influencing spatial and temporal dynamics of community size structure, comparing the response of community size structure between natural versus human-impacted sites, and comparing global patterns in different aquatic ecosystems. We encourage researchers, especially those from underrepresented geographical areas (e.g., South Hemisphere and Asia) to fuel this dataset in the future. The dataset is provided under a CC-BY-NC-S4 4.0 license, and users are encouraged to cite this data paper when using the data.

Co-resistance is the dominant mechanism of co-selection and dissemination of antibiotic resistome in nano zinc oxide polluted soil.

Co-resistance is the dominant mechanism of co-selection and dissemination of antibiotic resistome in nano zinc oxide polluted soil.

Nitrogen transformation and bacterial community response in O3-SBR process for treating nitrogen-containing heterocyclic antibiotics.

Nitrogen transformation and bacterial community response in O3-SBR process for treating nitrogen-containing heterocyclic antibiotics.

Importance‐Performance Evaluation of Coral Reef Conservation in Advancing the Bioeconomy of Marine Tourism in Bali, Indonesia

ABSTRACTThis research investigates the interplay between community engagement, psychological factors, and coral reef conservation in the context of Bali's marine tourism bioeconomy. By examining psychological drivers such as belief in climate change, trust in government initiatives, and personal experiences with marine pollution, we show how these social factors shape community responses and participation in coral reef conservation. Through the use of Importance‐Performance Analysis and logistic regression models, we identify critical factors that either promote or impede community involvement in coral reef protection efforts. Key indicators assessed included: the implementation of coral nurseries, marine protected areas, public education campaigns, responsible tourism workshops, volunteer programs for reef cleaning, incentivized conservation actions, local conservation committees, and stakeholder engagement sessions. The findings indicated that effective coral reef management strategies must address not only ecological challenges but also socio‐economic realities. Integrating community insights and psychological perspectives into coral reef conservation efforts is shown to significantly bolster their effectiveness and sustainability. This study highlights the need for adaptive management approaches that are informed by both ecological data and community feedback, aiming to cultivate resilient marine ecosystems and communities in the face of global climate change.

Support for the Development of Cultural and Art Edutourism in Mentaraman with the POKDARWIS Institution Strengthened by Competencies in Rural Tourism Management

The arts and culture of each region in Indonesia have unique authenticity, making them difficult to imitate and giving each area its characteristics. This uniqueness can be developed, particularly in tourism. Community participation is crucial in tourism development, making the formation of POKDARWIS essential in areas with tourism potential, such as Mentaraman village. Initial observations show that Mentaraman village has yet to form a POKDARWIS, prompting this study to recommend its establishment. This study outlines the targets and stages needed to form a POKDARWIS, including the preparation, formation, and formalization stages. The planning stage involves mapping the village's potential to identify the need for POKDARWIS. The formation stage begins with information dissemination and agreements among stakeholders. The formalization stage ensures community recognition through relevant agencies. The results demonstrate successful POKDARWIS formation. Positive community responses highlight that the program aligns with their needs, fostering a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for tourism development. This initiative not only meets the community service program output target but also lays the foundation for sustainable tourism practices by integrating local arts and culture into the program's framework.

Weed emergence patterns as affected by topsoil movement within an eroded landform

AbstractSoil erosion significantly affects within‐field soil properties, crop productivity, weed emergence patterns, and weed growth. Spatial variability in weed densities, emergence timing, weed seed production, seed viability, herbicide bioavailability, and other factors complicate weed management strategies in eroded landscapes. Reversing soil erosion by replacing translocated topsoil (soil‐landscape rehabilitation) is one method to improve crop productivity of severely eroded land, but bulk soil movement changes soil properties and weed seedbanks that influence weed spatial distribution patterns, emergence, and growth. We evaluated weed community responses to soil movement within a hilly landform. Soil‐landscape rehabilitation was performed by moving 15–20 cm of accumulated topsoil from the lower slope and adding it to the upper slope positions (areas of net soil loss by erosion). Adjacent plots were left in their eroded condition. Weed density and species richness were monitored for 4 years. Annual grasses dominated the weed community in the upper slope, and weed abundance was highest in the most eroded landscape positions. Soil addition improved soil characteristics for crop growth but did not increase weed densities. The density of weeds was lower where soil was removed in the first 2 years after soil movement, likely through removal of weed seeds with soil. Within 3 years of soil movement, weed abundance and species richness were the same or lower in areas of soil removal and no soil removal. In these experiments, movement of soil (and entrained weed seeds) within an eroded landform to improve productivity did not exacerbate weed issues.

Woodborers and wood-decay related beetle responses to a major forest disturbance event in the central and southern Sierra Nevada, California.

Disturbance plays a critical role in the ecology of forests including influencing the abundance and diversity of fauna. Although numerous studies have focused on forest responses to various disturbance events, less attention has been given to arthropod community responses. California experienced an extreme, multi-year drought from 2012 to 2015 which severely stressed trees and incited epidemics of several bark beetle species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Water stress and bark beetles contributed to a significant mortality event of hundreds of millions of trees in the central and southern Sierra Nevada, causing significant structural and compositional changes in forests. Our study sought to characterize woodborer and wood-decay-related beetle responses to various levels of tree mortality and snag (dead standing tree) retention resulting from this tree mortality event. Of particular interest were responses to differences in the orientation of dead wood, standing snags versus fallen snags. Ethanol-baited panel flight intercept traps were deployed for multiple weeks in 2022 and 2023 on plots representative of 3 disturbance classes: (i) low tree mortality (<30%), (ii) high tree mortality (>50%) with low snag fall (≤50%), and (iii) high tree mortality (>50%) with high snag fall (>60%). Woodborers and wood-decay-related beetle assemblages were compared at the family and species level. Our analyses revealed several significant differences in community assemblages among disturbance classes. Despite these differences, our results failed to reveal clear, qualitatively distinctive assemblages among disturbance classes. Rather, we could only conclude general patterns from the observed dissimilarities in richness and abundance. In general, we observed a greater diversity of woodborers on high-mortality plots than on low-mortality plots. Similarly, the diversity of wood-decay-related beetles generally increased with greater amounts (basal area) of snag fall. The amount of tree mortality and snag fall were positively related to several woodborer and wood-decay-related beetles. Observed beetle assemblages, their corresponding life histories, and the influences of altered habitat availability are discussed.