Corn field, grassland, deciduous and coniferous forest soils Targeted Locus (Loci). soil metagenome

In this study, we explored the effects of soil moisture variability on bacterial resuscitation and ecosystem processes. After documenting pulses of trace gases (CO2, CH4, and N2O) in field experiments and laboratory microcosms, we used heavy-water stable isotope probing (SIP) to identify bacteria that were resuscitated from a state of low metabolic activity based on the incorporation of 18O into their DNA following the rewetting of dry soils. We demonstrate that a large number of rare taxa rapidly responded to shifts in soils moisture and contributed to pulses of ecosystem activity. Our findings suggest that shifts in environmental cues can affect the dormancy of microbial communities in ways that maintain biodiversity and influence ecosystem processes.