Simulated artificial interventions maintain species diversity of spatially structured microbial communities in closed ecosystem. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Shuaishuai; Liu, Hong; Liu, Guanghui; Hu, Dawei
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 201(2022)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Artificial intervention -- Spatially structured community -- Species diversity -- Closed ecosystem; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.08.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: Closed artificial ecosystem has limited species and monotonically decreasing microbial species diversity, which is driven by inevitable interactions between microbial individuals. To find an approach to maintain microbial species diversity, simulated artificial interventions were implemented to change the spatial relationships of individuals. In this study, four types of artificial interventions were performed including random mix, intermediate disturbance, position swap and the combined intervention. Six diversity indicators were applied to measure the effect of these interventions. An optimal combined intervention was found to be able to increase all the six indicators in nearly all steps. This study might provide reference to the study of the closed artificial ecosystem and other fields that need control of species diversity. Highlights: Managed to change spatial relationship of individuals by artificial interventions. Spatially structured microbial communities instead of non-spatial ones. Simulated complex communities based on numerous species instead of a few. Prevented species diversity from declining in closed ecosystem. A method of artificial interventions has been found to maintain species diversity.