Zucconi, LauraFierro-Vásquez, NataliaAntunes, AndréGonçalves Bendia, AmandaLavín, ParisGonzález-Aravena, MarceloKumar Sani, RajeshBanerjee, Aparna2026-10-212026-10-2120252731-424310.1038/s44185-025-00076-8https://repositorioabierto.uantof.cl/handle/uantof/792Antarctica, a seemingly barren and icy wilderness, is home to a diverse array of microbial life that playsa critical role in sustaining its ecosystems. These resilient microorganisms drive nutrient cycling andcarbon sequestration, but their function in global processes remains unclear. This pristineenvironment faces mounting threats from human activities, climate change, and increasing tourism.Contaminants, non-native species, and microplastics are increasingly reaching even the most remoteregions, disrupting delicate microbial communities existing for millions of years. Antarcticmicroorganisms are not only ecologically significant but also valuable for biotechnologicaladvancements, making their conservation imperative. Climate change exacerbates these threats,altering microbial habitats and promoting shifts in community structure. Tourism growth, thoughbeneficial for education and economic reasons, poses significant challenges through biological andchemical contamination. Despite efforts under the Antarctic Treaty System to protect the region, thereis a critical need for enhanced measures specifically targeting microbial conservation. This articleunderscores the importance of conserving Antarctic microbial diversity. It highlights the intricatemicrobial ecosystems and the urgency of implementing strategies such as stringent biosecuritymeasures, sustainable tourism practices, and comprehensive monitoring programs. Additionally,fostering international collaboration and research initiatives is vital for understanding and designingstrategies to mitigate the impacts of environmental changes on microbial life. By prioritizing microbialconservation in policy frameworks and strengthening global cooperation, we can safeguard theseunique ecosystems and ensure their resilience for future generationsenAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalsin informacióntampoco los sugeridos por la editorialArticle