As fungi play important roles in ecosystem processes as decomposers and symbiont partners, scientists are interested in understanding how global climate change may affect fungal diversity. In 2007-2008, scientists visited the maritime Antarctic, an area of the Southern Hemisphere that is noted to be warming the fastest, to conduct a survey of fungal diversity along a climatic gradient (the most prevalent weather conditions of a region along an incline). Twenty-nine soil samples were taken along the gradient. Fungal diversity was measured in operational taxonomic units (OTUs); one OTU = one cluster, or group, of organisms. Here is a portion of the data collected:
Source: Newsham, K. K., Hopkins, D. W., Carvalhais, L. C., Fretwell, P. T., Rushton, S. P., O'Donnell, A. G., & Dennis, P. G. (n.d.). Relationship between soil fungal diversity and temperature in the maritime Antarctic. Nature Climate Change, 6, 182-186.
-Usable (liquid) water sources in the maritime Antarctic are directly related to air temperatures. Suppose scientists observe climate cooling in the maritime Antarctic over a 10-year period. At the end of the 10 years, scientists revisit the same site to study effects of climate cooling. Considering temperature and water stress tolerance of these organisms, which would be most likely to continue surviving?

Question

As fungi play important roles in ecosystem processes as decomposers and symbiont partners, scientists are interested in understanding how global climate change may affect fungal diversity. In 2007-2008, scientists visited the maritime Antarctic, an area of the Southern Hemisphere that is noted to be warming the fastest, to conduct a survey of fungal diversity along a climatic gradient (the most prevalent weather conditions of a region along an incline). Twenty-nine soil samples were taken along the gradient. Fungal diversity was measured in operational taxonomic units (OTUs); one OTU = one cluster, or group, of organisms. Here is a portion of the data collected:
  Source: Newsham, K. K., Hopkins, D. W., Carvalhais, L. C., Fretwell, P. T., Rushton, S. P., O'Donnell, A. G., & Dennis, P. G. (n.d.). Relationship between soil fungal diversity and temperature in the maritime Antarctic. Nature Climate Change, 6, 182-186.
-Usable (liquid) water sources in the maritime Antarctic are directly related to air temperatures. Suppose scientists observe climate cooling in the maritime Antarctic over a 10-year period. At the end of the 10 years, scientists revisit the same site to study effects of climate cooling. Considering temperature and water stress tolerance of these organisms, which would be most likely to continue surviving?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lichens are the most likely to continue surviving as they are known to be more tolerant to extreme climates and have the ability to withstand long periods of dehydration. The other options, angiosperms, ferns, and conifers, are all more water-dependent and may struggle to survive in a cooling climate with less available water.

As Fungi Play Important Roles in Ecosystem Processes as Decomposers