Buenos Aires, Dec. 8 (NA) — A new scientific investigation has revealed that a thin 'living skin' covering the surface of the Great Wall of China acts as a powerful natural protective layer against deterioration. The study, published this week in the journal Current Biology, demonstrates that this microbial community, known as a 'biocrust,' not only enriches the biodiversity of the ancient monument but also plays a key role in its long-term conservation by increasing its resistance to wear, the Argentine News Agency reported. The biocrust: greater biodiversity and resistant genes Scientists from the China Agricultural University analyzed six sites along a 600-kilometer stretch of the Great Wall in arid and semi-arid climates. They compared the surface microbiome (composed of cyanobacteria, algae, lichens, and mosses) with that of adjacent walls without this layer. The results confirmed the protective and enriching function of the biocrust: Greater biodiversity: sections covered by this biological crust host bacterial and fungal communities with 12% to 62% greater abundance, diversity, and network complexity. Resistance to deterioration: the crust mosaic has enriched stress-resistant functional genes by 4% to 15%, while reducing the prevalence of metabolic pathways generally associated with heritage deterioration. According to the researchers, these findings are a crucial step toward understanding the Great Wall's microbiome, which will significantly contribute to the conservation of this unparalleled monument for future generations.
