The river-sea continuum concept offers a powerful framework for understanding the dynamic and interconnected nature of aquatic ecosystems, from headwaters to the ocean. Central to this concept is the role of organic matter and the microbial communities that drive its transformation and turnover across different stages of the continuum. This session seeks to explore the complex relationships between organic matter, microbial ecology, and their ecological roles throughout the river-sea continuum.
Organic matter, in its various forms, is a key driver of ecosystem processes, influencing nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the overall health and stability of aquatic environments. As main players in organic matter decomposition and transformation, microbial communities play a pivotal role in these processes. However, the specific mechanisms by which microbial communities interact with organic matter, and how these interactions vary along the river-sea continuum, remain topics of ongoing research and debate.
This session invites contributions that address the following themes:
• The sources, composition, and fate of organic matter along the river-sea continuum.
• The structure and function of microbial communities in relation to organic matter dynamics.
• The impact of environmental factors such as climate, hydrology, and human activity on the interactions between organic matter and microbial communities.
• The implications of these interactions for ecosystem functioning, resilience, and response to environmental change.