Bryophyte-Microbe Symbiosis: Unveiling Ancient Alliances for Future Ecosystems

Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) represent the earliest lineages of land plants, having transitioned from aquatic environments to terrestrial ecosystems over 450 million years ago. This pivotal evolutionary step was heavily facilitated by intimate associations with microorganisms, forming ancient alliances that shaped the terrestrial biosphere. In modern ecosystems, these bryophyte-microbe symbioses -encompassing fungi, bacteria, and cyanobacteria - remain vital for biogeochemical cycling, nitrogen fixation, and soil formation, particularly in extreme or nutrient-poor environments. As climate change accelerates habitat degradation, understanding these resilient pioneer systems becomes critical. This Research Topic aims to explore the genetic, metabolic, and ecological dimensions of bryophyte-microbe interactions. By unveiling how these ancient partnerships enhance plant tolerance to stress and drive ecosystem functioning, we can unlock novel strategies for sustainable agriculture, ecological restoration, and global conservation in a changing world.This Research Topic provides a platform for exploring the intricate symbiotic interactions between bryophytes and beneficial microorganisms ("Symbryoses"). With a growing interest in the evolutionary pathways and ecological significance of these early land plants, contributions may address how bryophytes, such as liverworts, engage with microbial partners to enhance nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and overall plant health. Areas of interest include the molecular communication pathways that facilitate these interactions, the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving symbiosis, and the evolutionary context of bryophyte-microbe partnerships. By integrating cutting-edge biotechnological approaches and ecological insights, this topic aims to uncover the potential of bryophytes as model systems for understanding fundamental symbiotic processes. Researchers are encouraged to contribute findings that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to life on earth, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem health. This comprehensive exploration will advance our understanding of the role of bryophytes in plant-microbe symbiotic networks and their potential applications in enhancing plant productivity and resilience.This Research Topic welcomes original research, reviews, methods, and perspectives exploring the mechanistic and ecological boundaries of bryophyte-microbe interactions. We encourage submissions that address the following core themes:1. Evolutionary Insights: insights into the genetic and/or biochemical basis and signaling pathways of ancient plant-microbe alliances.2. Functional Metabolomics: the role of microbial symbionts in nutrient acquisition, carbon sequestration, and nitrogen fixation.3. Stress Tolerance: mechanistic studies on how symbioses confer resilience against extreme temperatures, drought, and heavy metal toxicity.4. Ecosystem Applications: the utilization of bryophyte consortia for ecological restoration, bioremediation, and sustainable agriculture.5. Bioprospection: systematic, knowledge-driven exploration of biological diversity for the discovery of bryophyte-microbe bioactive compounds with applications in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial biotechnology.We are highly interested in diverse manuscript types, including Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods, and Perspectives that utilize multi-omics, ecological modeling, or physiological approaches. Contributions should advance our understanding of how these pioneer symbioses can be leveraged to mitigate global climate change impacts. Topic editors: Francesca Degola, Beata Zimowska Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86077/bryophyte-microbe-symbiosis-unveiling-ancient-alliances-for-future-ecosystems