Investigating the Role of Microbial Dark Matter in Marine & Garden Soil Health and Ecosystem Resilience

This study investigates the critical role of Microbial Dark Matter (MDM) comprising uncultured microbial biomass, exudates, and residues in maintaining soil health and enhancing ecosystem resilience in both marine sediments and garden soils. Despite being largely uncharacterized, MDM plays a pivotal role in biogeochemical processes, particularly in nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and the stabilization of organic matter. The research compares microbial functions across marine and terrestrial environments, focusing on microbial diversity, metabolic activity, and the interactions between microbial communities and plant roots. Through advanced molecular and biochemical analyses, this study highlights how MDM contributes to the regulation of soil structure, fertility, and biological interactions that underpin ecosystem sustainability. In marine ecosystems, MDM facilitates the transformation and retention of organic carbon in sediments, while in garden soils, it supports plant growth, root health, and overall soil productivity. These microbial functions are essential for ecosystem resilience, especially under environmental stressors such as climate change, pollution, and anthropogenic disturbances. The findings underscore the need to integrate microbial processes particularly those related to MDM into soil health assessment frameworks and ecosystem management strategies. Recognizing and harnessing the functional significance of microbial dark matter can inform sustainable practices in agriculture, soil restoration, and marine conservation.