Using trait-based approaches to understand methane oxidation in wetlands
Wetlands are an important source of the greenhouse gas methane. The only known methane sink of biological nature is its oxidation by methanotrophic microorganisms. Although wetlands are under strong environmental pressure, impacts of environmental stressors - such as altered temperature and nutrient availability - on methane oxidation remain unclear. Methanotrophs belonging to different phylogenetic groups have different ways of dealing with stress, depending on function-specific traits. In this seminar, I show how we can use genomic and physiological trait information to predict methanotroph functioning under stress, using data from experiments, fieldwork and modeling. Additionally, I will show effects of interspecific interactions on methanotroph growth and functioning.
Host: Sabine Hilt