Unveiling Microbiome Interactions and Functions in Soil Hotspots

The study of the microbiome in soil hotspots is a rapidly evolving field that seeks to understand the complex interactions and activities of microorganisms in these highly active microenvironments. Soil hotspots are areas where the abundance and activity of microorganisms can be significantly higher than in the surrounding soil, with specific activities such as respiration, microbial growth, mineralization potential, and enzyme activities being notably elevated. Recent studies have utilized DNA analysis to identify the microorganisms inhabiting these niches, revealing that the ecological roles and competitive interactions of these species are encoded in their genomes. Despite the progress made, there remain significant gaps in our understanding of the full range of microbiomes present in soil hotspots and their ecological impacts. Current research has primarily focused on isolated aspects of microbial action, leaving a need for more comprehensive studies that consider the holistic interactions and processes within these microenvironments.

This research topic aims to present new information and research on how the microbiome functions within specific soil hotspot microenvironments. The main objectives include identifying the microorganisms present, understanding their ecological roles, and evaluating the competitive interactions within these communities. By addressing these questions, the research seeks to provide a more complete picture of the microbial dynamics in soil hotspots and their contributions to ecologically relevant processes.

To gather further insights into the microbiome in soil hotspots, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Studies on the detection of microbiome abundance and activity related to process rates in hotspots.
- Interdisciplinary studies on the main microbial processes in hotspots, process rates, and priming effects in different soil management regimes.
- Research and reports on the analysis of microbiota interactions in hotspots.
- Research on the importance of spatial and temporal biological heterogeneity of soils.
- The latest insights in approaches for hotspot identification.

Keywords: metagenomic niche space, Soil hotspots, Soil microbiome, Soil microbiotia, Species gene repertoire, Hotspot indentification, Microbiome abundance and activity, Priming effects, Different usage soil

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.