A Longitudinal Study: Mangrove Leaf Microbiome Change Over Time

Mangroves are critical coastal ecosystems that act as carbon sinks, storm buffers, and biodiversity hotspots. They rely on a complex and diverse leaf microbiome for enhanced growth, stress tolerance, and protection against pathogens. The mangrove leaf surface, or phyllosphere, is a dynamic physical system where light, heat, and water vapor flux determine microbial survival. Factors such as temperature, pH, salinity, and changes in precipitation can impact the presence and quantities of microbes, and thus essential processes like nutrient cycling, affecting overall plant health. We aim to examine how these environmental factors influence microbiome composition by conducting 16S rRNA DNA sequencing on samples collected from six mangrove trees at our study site. In comparison with previous studies, we expect to find a variety of microbes, including proteobacteria, cyanobacteria, actinobacteria, and a wide range of fungi and microalgae. Better understanding the mangrove microbiome provides key insights into adaptive strategies of these plants in the South Florida Ecosystem. This study is part of a larger biophysics study of mangroves at a collection site on the Ransom Everglades School campus in Miami, FL.