Hidden Algae Diversity Emerges in Wheat Fields Across Spring, Summer and Autumn

By Stephanie Baum

Intensive agriculture poses a significant threat to global biodiversity. However, one aspect of biodiversity in farmland is little studied: algae. Most people have seen algae growing in streams, lakes or the sea. However, algae have also adapted to survive in drier, harsher conditions on land. In fact, soil algae are thought to be responsible for about 6% of the vegetation production on Earth.

Intensive agriculture poses a significant threat to global biodiversity. However, one aspect of biodiversity in farmland is little studied: algae. Most people have seen algae growing in streams, lakes or the sea. However, algae have also adapted to survive in drier, harsher conditions on land. In fact, soil algae are thought to be responsible for about 6% of the vegetation production on Earth.

The researchers showed that many of these organisms could also be abundant in the fields of Central Europe. Additionally, researchers identified a large diversity of green algae, as well as diatoms—a common type of single-celled algae mostly known from marine or freshwater habitats.

"These organisms are critical to the soil microbiome. Soil health and fertility may depend on them," says Professor Thomas Friedl at the University of Göttingen. Although the microbiome of arable land has received increased attention from researchers in recent years, most studies focus on bacteria and fungi, not on soil algae.