Ecosystem function and resilience across biomes: microbial mediation, dryland productivity and coastal wetland services
Abstract
Ecosystem function and resilience are shaped by a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors across terrestrial and aquatic biomes. Microbial communities are fundamental mediators of nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and stress tolerance, influencing the productivity and stability of ecosystems. Drylands, characterized by water scarcity and extreme climate variability, contribute disproportionately to global primary productivity and carbon dynamics due to microbial and plant adaptations. Coastal wetlands provide critical ecosystem services, including flood regulation, nutrient retention and greenhouse gas modulation, yet are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures and climate change. This article synthesizes current knowledge on microbial mediation, dryland productivity and coastal wetland services, highlighting multiscale mechanisms driving ecosystem resilience. Understanding these processes is essential for informed conservation, restoration and climate adaptation strategies across diverse biomes.