Mapping the contribution of phototrophic microbes to the global carbon cycle of peatlands

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Mapping the contribution of phototrophic microbes to the global carbon cycle of peatlands

Database of phototrophic microbes in northern peatlands being built by group of peatland scientists to gain new insight into the diversity, abundance, biomass, and productivity of these tiny organisms. Find out how you can get involved.

A group of peatland scientists, led by Dr Vincent Jassey, is building a database of the diversity, abundance, biomass, and productivity of phototrophic microbes in northern peatlands to gain new insight into the microbial life in peatlands and produce research of notable value.

To address these knowledge gaps they have announced an open call for collaboration to develop and analyze an extensive global dataset of phototrophic taxonomic diversity, abundance, and chlorophyll biomass in peatlands. The group have already identified 50 peatlands within their close network of collaboration in Europe but would like to expand their coverage to as many places as possible.

The group invites scientists and teams who have legal access to peatland sites to send them samples to analyse. In particular, they will ask you to collect three different kinds of samples for them using a sample kit they will provide (more details will come in due course). Contributions of data, coupled with involvement at writing stages, will merit co-authorship on this and future projects related to this global data set.

All who are interested to contribute are encouraged to subscribe in the google sheet and locate their peatland sites on the map application:

Examples of phototrophic microbes.

Examples of phototrophic microbes. Credit Dr. Vincent Jassey / MAPP