Journal article
Bark microbiota modulate climate-active gas fluxes in Australian forests
Science, Vol.391(6781), pp.1-14
08/01/2026
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Abstract
Recent studies suggest that microbes inhabit tree bark, yet little is known about their identities, functions, and environmental roles. Here we reveal, through gene-centric and genome-resolved metagenomics, that the bark of eight common Australian tree species 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 showed that bark microorganisms aerobically consume methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide at in planta concentrations and produce these gases under anoxia. Combined with in situ field measurements, we show that tree-dwelling microbiota metabolize multiple climate-active gases at marked rates within tree stems, highlighting a potentially substantial role in global atmospheric cycles.
Details
- Title
- Bark microbiota modulate climate-active gas fluxes in Australian forests
- Creators
- Pok Man Leung - Monash UniversityLuke C Jeffrey - Southern Cross UniversitySean K Bay - Monash UniversityPaula Gomez-Alvarez - Southern Cross UniversityMontgomery Hall - Monash UniversityScott G Johnston - Southern Cross UniversityJohannes Dittmann - Southern Cross UniversityElisabeth Deschaseaux - Southern Cross UniversityBillie Hopkins - Southern Cross UniversityJasmine Haskell - Southern Cross UniversityThanavit JirapanjawatTess F Hutchinson - Monash UniversityNicholas Coleman - Macquarie UniversityXiyang Dong - Institute of OceanographyDamien T Maher - Southern Cross UniversityChris Greening - Monash University
- Publication Details
- Science, Vol.391(6781), pp.1-14
- Publisher
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); WASHINGTON
- Grant note
- This study was supported by research grants from Australian Research Council (DE240100338 to L.C.J; DP210100096 to D.T.M, S.G.J; DE230101346 to S.K.B; LP160100061 to S.G.J.; LE200100155 to E.D.; DE250101210 to P.M.L.), a SRIEAS grant Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future (SR200100005; salary support to S.K.B), the Hermon Slade Foundation (to L.C.J., D.T.M., S.G.J., C.G.), an Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Postgraduate Research Award (to L.C.J.), a Monash Summer Studentship (to M.H.), a Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment fund (to P.M.L.), a Monash FMNHS Early Career Postdoctoral Fellowship (ECPF23-1113137961; to P.M.L.), and an NHMRC EL2 Fellowship (APP1178715; to C.G.).
- Identifiers
- 991013342290802368
- Copyright
- © 2026 the authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science.
- Academic Unit
- Southern Cross Analytical Research Services; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Graduate School; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article