FWF - Sphagnum mosses - Study of microbial diversity associated with Sphagnum mosses

Bryophytes belong to the phylogenetically oldest land plants. The bryophyte genus Sphagnum is the dominant component of the mire and bog vegetation, which are of high importance for our world climate. Recently, it was shown that Sphagnum mosses are colonized in high abundances with special microbial communities, which fulfil important functions for the moss plantlets as well as for the whole bog ecosystem. However, data obtained resulted in a lot of new scientific questions; which are the objective of this joint project. These are the following analyses of 1) specificity of Sphagnum associated microbial communities world wide, 2) transmission of bacteria by spores, 3) spatial structure of Sphagnum associated microbes using FISH (Fluorescence in situ hybridization) and CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscopy), and, 4) assessment of biotechnological potential of Sphagnum-associated isolates. Altogether, results should lead in a new understanding of this interesting bio-resource.