Mushrooms and Climate Change

Author: Brian Walsh
Date: 8 Jan. 2014
"Why Some Mushrooms May Be Magic for Climate Change": http://science.time.com/2014/01/08/why-some-mushrooms-may-be-magic-for-climate-change/

Summary:
A certain type of mycorrhizal fungi has been shown to increase the amount of carbon soil can store. This is important because soil is a huge carbon sink that could help to reduce the amount of CO2 in the air, and currently, high levels of CO2 are causing climate changes. The type of fungi shown to do this is ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. EEM fungi can increase the carbon in the soil by as much as 70%. They do this by more effectively extracting nitrogen from the soil for themselves, and for the plant with which they are in a mutualistic relationship. The more efficient EEM fungi outcompetes microbes for nitrogen. These microbes would otherwise be living in the soil and releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere as they decompose dead plants. This relationship between plants, mycorrhizae, and decomposers is significant because it is a largely independent component in the carbon cycle. This fungi could possibly be utilized to help shape the global climate by controlling CO2 levels. However for now, the majority of plants do not form a symbiotic relationship with EEM fungi.

Relevance
Recently we have studied organisms such as fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms. This article heavily to relates to that. Specifically we discussed the symbiotic relationships between plants and mycorrhizae, and their connection to the nitrogen cycle. At the beginning of the year, we also talked about the carbon cycle. This article discusses the connection between the nitrogen and carbon cycle through plants, which we are studying now, and fungi, which we have just studied. In addition the carbon and nitrogen cycle are linked to decomposing soil microbes. We have learned about bacteria, and the applications to which humans have used them, such as bioremediation. Similarly, bacteria could be manipulated by people through EEM to control CO2 levels in the atmosphere. This article creates a complex image of the relevance that fungi and bacteria have to humans, and correlates many previous topics together.

World's First Simultaneous Genetic Sequencing of Host Coral, Symbiont Algae

Source: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology - OIST

Date: January 23, 2014

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140123075523.htm

Summary:

Researchers have conducted transcriptome analysis of a Porites australiensis coral colony and its symbiont Symbiodinium algae found in waters near Sesoko Island, Japan. Transcriptome analysis differs from traditional DNA sequencing in that it identifies genes expressed in distinct cell populations rather than focusing on an entire genome. Thus, researchers analyzing the coral holobiont (entire coral community) were able to distinguish genetic information belonging to both the host coral and the symbiont algae Symbiodinium. The relationship between the two groups are crucial: plants, fungi and bacteria can synthesize all of the 20 amino acids, which are building blocks of protein. However, animals cannot produce one or more of the essential amino acids. Shinzato and his colleagues examined the amino acid biosynthetic pathways of the Porites australiensis coral community and found that the coral host and its symbiont Symbiodinium algae were able to synthesize most of the non-essential amino acids. But, the former cannot synthesize essential amino acids and must rely on the latter’s essential amino acid production. Although long predicted, there is now evidence of a coral holobiont’s amino acid synthesis complementarity on a genetic level. Coral reefs are a jewel of marine diversity, but are facing coral bleaching and eventual death as a result of various stresses. Gaining a better understanding of the symbiotic relationship within coral holobionts will aid in coral reef preservation.

Relevance:

The article relates to what we learned in class about coral reefs: coral reefs are communities in which coral polyps (animals) and algae form mutualistic relationships. These relationships are very important because the coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for photosynthesis. In return, the algae provide oxygen and aid the coral in waste removal. We were also taught that coral bleaching, in which the mutualistic algae are expelled the polyp, occurs as a stress response and is harmful--even fatal--to the coral. The study described in the article yielded molecular evidence on the symbiotic relationships, which is important as this added facet may help researchers better comprehend coral bleaching and preserve the vastly biodiverse coral reefs.

by Emily Yin