Microbes and their habitats shape postglacial ecosystems.

Microbial communities in newly forming proglacial soils are strongly structured by the distinct biological habitats created during primary succession, shaping postglacial ecosystem trajectories.

• Why it matters: As glaciers retreat, early soil development depends on microbes, but it remains unclear how habitat differences during succession steer community assembly and ecosystem change.
• What they did: Ruka et al. analyzed how microbial community composition tracks distinct biological habitats along primary succession during postglacial ecosystem development.
• The result: Habitat–microbe reciprocal interactions are linked to the trajectories of postglacial ecosystems, implying that succession-driven habitat formation can steer microbial-driven ecosystem outcomes.

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