TY - JOUR A1 - Gorbushina, Anna A1 - Broughton, W.J. T1 - Microbiology of the atmosphere-rock interface: How biological interactions and physical stresses modulate a sophisticated microbial ecosystem T2 - Annual review of microbiology N2 - Life at the atmosphere-lithosphere boundary is an ancient terrestrial niche that is sparsely covered by thin subaerial biofilms. The microbial inhabitants of these biofilms (a) have adapted to all types of terrestrial/subaerial stresses (e.g., desiccation, extreme temperatures, low nutrient availability, intense solar radiation), (b) interact with minerals that serve as both a dwelling and a source of mineral nutrients, and (c) provoke weathering of rocks and soil formation. Subaerial communities comprise heterotrophic and phototrophic microorganisms that support each other's lifestyle. Major lineages of eubacteria associated with the early colonization of land (e.g., Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria) are present in these habitats along with eukaryotes such as microscopic green algae and ascomycetous fungi. The subaerial biofilm inhabitants have adapted to desiccation, solar radiation, and other environmental challenges by developing protective, melanized cell walls, assuming microcolonial architectures and symbiotic lifestyles. How these changes occurred, their significance in soil formation, and their potential as markers of climate change are discussed below. PB - Annual Reviews Inc. CY - Palo Alto, CA, USA KW - Cyanobacteria KW - Geobiology KW - Microcolonial fungi KW - Rock inhabiting KW - Fungi-phototroph symbioses KW - Soil formation KW - Subaerial biofilms KW - Weathering PY - 2009 UR - https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-bam/frontdoor/index/index/docId/20243 AN - OPUS4-20243 SN - 0066-4227 VL - 63 SP - 431 EP - 450 AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany