A Longitudinal Study: Mangrove Soil Microbiome Change Over Time

Mangroves play a key role in Florida's coastal ecosystems, protecting coastlines, providing a stable habitat for a variety of marine life, and storing carbon. They are known for their extensive and complex root systems that extend into seawater, the air, and soil. Mangrove health and adaptability are impacted by the microbiota presence in the rhizosphere (soil & root). Pollution, pH changes, temperature changes, and salinity are known to impact the presence of microorganisms. The role of these microbial communities is to help the tree carry out essential processes such as nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. We are studying microbiome changes associated with the aforementioned environmental impact through DNA sequencing targeting 16s rRNA associated with six mangrove trees in our collection site to compare with previous data that suggests the presence of the genera Desulfococcus and Actibacter. Better understanding the mangrove microbiome provides key insights into adaptive strategies of these plants in the South Florida Ecosystem. This project is part of a larger biophysics study of mangroves at a collection site on the Ransom Everglades School campus in Miami, FL.