Aerobiology over South Georgia

Colonization of remote ecosystems by new microorganisms poses a significant threat to the diversity and function of native microbial communities. In polar regions, including Antarctica, airborne microbial communities are shaped by environmental and climatic factors, which are rapidly changing. However, the specific drivers of microbial community composition and diversity in these regions remain poorly understood. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the daily microbial community turnover of airborne bacteria on South Georgia, a remote sub-Antarctic island, and assesses the impact of environmental factors and local ecosystems on microbial composition. Through a two-week field study on the island, samples were collected at both high- and low-altitude sites to capture spatial and temporal variability. These findings underscore the dynamic nature of airborne microbial ecosystems and highlight the importance of continued monitoring in polar regions, where the effects of environmental changes could accelerate microbial colonization, with potential consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem function.