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CC0 V1.0, Open
Dataset
Data from: Bark microbiota modulate climate-active gas fluxes in Australian forests
Dryad
08/01/2026
Metrics
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Abstract
The global surface area of tree bark is approximately equal to the total global land surface area. Though recent studies suggest microbes inhabit tree bark, little is known about their identities, functions, and environmental roles. Here, we reveal, through genome-resolved metagenomics, that tree bark hosts abundant and specialized microbial communities. The predominant bacteria are hydrogen-cycling facultative anaerobes adapted to dynamic redox and substrate conditions. Furthermore, bark-associated methanotrophs are abundant and can coexist with hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Microcosm experiments demonstrated that bark microorganisms rapidly aerobically consume methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide at in planta concentrations, but can produce these gases under anoxia. Combined with in situ field measurements, we show tree-dwelling microbiota process multiple climate-active gases at significant rates within tree stems, highlighting an important research frontier within global atmospheric cycles.
Details
- Title
- Data from: Bark microbiota modulate climate-active gas fluxes in Australian forests
- Creators
- Pok Man Leung - Monash UniversityLuke Jeffrey - Southern Cross UniversitySean Bay - Monash UniversityPaula Gomez-Alvarez - Southern Cross UniversityMontgomery Hall - Monash UniversityScott Johnston - Southern Cross UniversityJohannes Dittmann - Southern Cross UniversityElisabeth Deschaseaux - Southern Cross UniversityBillie Hopkins - Southern Cross UniversityJasmine Haskell - Southern Cross UniversityThanavit Jirapanjawat - Monash UniversityTess Hutchinson - Monash UniversityNicholas Coleman - Macquarie UniversityXiyang Dong - Institute of OceanographyDamien Maher - Southern Cross UniversityChris Greening - Monash University
- Publisher
- Dryad
- Grant note
- SR200100005 / Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future (SAEF) DP210100096 / Australian Research Council (https://ror.org/05mmh0f86) DE240100338 / Australian Research Council (https://ror.org/05mmh0f86) Early Career Postdoctoral Fellowship - ECPF23-1113137961 / Monash University (https://ror.org/02bfwt286) LP160100061 / Australian Research Council (https://ror.org/05mmh0f86) LE200100155 / Australian Research Council (https://ror.org/05mmh0f86) DE250101210 / Australian Research Council (https://ror.org/05mmh0f86) NHMRC EL2 Fellowship - APP1178715 / National Health and Medical Research Council (https://ror.org/011kf5r70) DE230101346 / Australian Research Council (https://ror.org/05mmh0f86)
- Identifiers
- 991013345439902368
- Academic Unit
- Southern Cross Analytical Research Services; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Graduate School; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dataset