Carbon Emission and Biodiversity of Arctic Soil Microbial Communities of the Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land Archipelagos

Cryogenic soils are the most important terrestrial carbon reservoir on the planet. However, the relationship between soil microbial diversity and CO2 emission by cryogenic soils is poorly studied. This is especially important in the context of rising temperatures in the high Arctic which can lead to the activation of microbial processes in soils and an increase in carbon input from cryogenic soils into the atmosphere. Here, using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons, we analyzed microbial community composition and diversity metrics in relation to soil carbon dioxide emission, water-extractable organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon in the soils of the Barents Sea archipelagos, Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. It was found that the highest diversity and CO2 emission were observed on the Hooker and Heiss Islands of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, while the diversity and CO2 emission levels were lower on Novaya Zemlya. Soil moisture and temperature were the main parameters influencing the composition of soil microbial communities on both archipelagos. The data obtained show that CO2 emission levels and community diversity on the studied islands are influenced mostly by a number of local factors, such as soil moisture, microclimatic conditions, different patterns of vegetation and fecal input from animals such as reindeer.

Automated summary

Cryogenic soils are important carbon reservoirs, and their microbial diversity has a strong impact on CO2 emissions. Rising temperatures in the high Arctic can activate microbial processes and increase carbon input from these soils. Using high-throughput sequencing, the microbial community composition and diversity were studied in the soil of Barents Sea archipelagos. The study found that soil moisture and temperature were the main factors influencing the microbial community composition, and CO2 emission levels were influenced by local factors such as moisture, microclimate, and animal fecal input from reindeer.