Although microbes are invisible to the naked eye, they play a huge role in the health of ecosystems and individuals. A new initiative at New College of Florida will help build a local baseline data and shed light on microbes in urban environments. 

In the summer of 2019, Erika Diaz Almeyda, an assistant professor of biology and environmental sciences at New College of Florida, began studying the impact of human land-use decisions on urban microbiomes. This initiative was made possible by an initial $15,000 donation from conservationist Elizabeth Moore, a Florida House Institute board member and president of TREE Foundation.

“Thanks to Elizabeth Moore’s funding, our team has achieved some important insights,” says Diaz Almeyda. “We’ve also gained valuable local data on soil characteristics and management, plant biodiversity, and soil microbial diversity across the Florida House Institute’s demonstration grounds. From an educational perspective, this project has also offered invaluable opportunities for hands-on student learning and development in a real-world setting.”

According to Diaz Almeyda, microbes play a vital role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem resilience. A healthy ecosystem depends on a healthy microbiome. Microbial health is determined by a wide range of factors, including biodiversity and nutrient transport. Scientists have studied this complex web of microbial life in remote and wild locations. Even so, the biodiversity of urban microbiomes has received scant attention. 

“Cities are often seen as lifeless, artificial spaces,” notes Diaz Almeyda. “The truth is, they’re filled with life. Along with their human population, urban environments also support a web of plant and animal species, which in turn depend on a healthy biodiverse microbiome. We’re deeply connected to that web of life — and that’s why our research is so important.”