9. Soil Formation and Microbial Changes
As mosses and algae colonize new ground, they trigger the slow beginnings of soil formation in Antarctica. This process, common in warming Arctic regions as well, encourages shifts in local microbial communities. A recent study notes that these microbial changes can impact nutrient cycles and soil chemistry, potentially paving the way for further ecological shifts. Such transformations could alter the stability and resilience of the continent’s unique environments.