Advection shapes Southern Ocean microbial assemblages independent of distance and environment effects

Although environmental selection and spatial separation have been shown to shape the distribution and abundance of marine microorganisms, the effects of advection (physical transport) have not been directly tested. Here we examine 25 samples covering all major water masses of the Southern Ocean to determine the effects of advection on microbial biogeography. Even when environmental factors and spatial separation are controlled for, there is a positive correlation between advection distance and taxonomic dissimilarity, indicating that an ‘advection effect’ has a role in shaping marine microbial community composition. This effect is likely due to the advection of cells increasing the probability that upstream microorganisms will colonize downstream sites. Our study shows that in addition to distance and environmental selection, advection shapes the composition of marine microbial communities. Environmental factors and distance are known to influence the structure of marine microbial communities. Using a data set spanning the Southern Ocean, Wilkins et al. now demonstrate that fluid transport (advection) is another important factor involved in shaping the marine microbial ecosystem.