The influence of environmental factors on the diversity and structure of airborne fungal and bacterial communities

Airborne fungal and bacterial communities are key components of microbial diversity, with significant consequences for human health, environmental processes, and ecosystem stability. This review analyzes the impact of environmental factors, such as climatic conditions, air pollutants, geographical locations, seasonal variations, human activities, soil and vegetation, on the diversity and structural composition of airborne fungal and bacterial communities. By evaluating functional features and diversity of fungi and bacteria in various contexts, this review highlights the differences in the microbial community structure across urban and rural environments, indoor and outdoor settings, and geographic locations. The potential health hazard of pathogenic airborne fungi and bacteria is considered and highlighted, particularly under critical environmental conditions determined by pollution and climate change. Advanced methodologies for air sampling, molecular approaches, and metagenomic tools, are essential for investigating the dynamics of microbial communities in the environment. Future research is required to address the issues of emerging pollutants and global climate shifts and integrate the results obtained from microbial studies into urban planning, sustainable environmental management, public health programs, etc. This review seeks to increase our understanding of airborne fungal and bacterial communities and their environmental drivers, delivering insights for minimizing human health risks and improving ecosystem resilience.