Humboldt Journal of Microbiology
Abstract
Microorganisms create various communities that act as the foundation of ecosystems. Abiotic factors such as temperature variability and environmental fluctuations are known to produce shifts in the abundance and diversity of microbial communities, but our current understanding is limited. In this study, we aimed to address this gap by observing abundance and diversity growth patterns under different temperature conditions within individual species and communities. Samples of 4 isolates and 4 artificial communities were grown at constant and fluctuating temperatures. Results found that the isolate samples had the highest abundance under constant high temperatures, whereas the community samples had the highest abundance under fluctuating temperatures. The highest diversity was found in the community samples grown in a constant low temperature. These findings suggest that microbial community makeup can be altered by growth temperature. Community samples exhibit the highest growth and diversity under conditions that more closely resemble their natural temperature environment. Researchers should account for this factor when designing experiments with diverse microbial populations.
Recommended Citation
Kessler, Mariska M.; Wolfinger, Jocelyn; and Alcaraz, Destiny S.
(2025)
"Growth Trends in Abundance and Diversity of Synthetic Microbial Communities over Varying Thermal Conditions,"
Humboldt Journal of Microbiology: Vol. 24, Article 5.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/hjm/vol24/iss1/5