Their World: A Diversity of Microbial Environments

By: Christon J. Hurst

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Synopsis: Thisvolume summarizes recent advances in environmental microbiology by providing fascinatinginsights into the diversity of microbial life that exists on our planet. Thefirst two chapters present theoretical perspectives that help to consolidateour understanding of evolution as an adaptive process by which the niche andhabitat of each species develop in a manner that interconnects individualcomponents of an ecosystem. This results in communities that function by simultaneouslycoordinating their metabolic and physiologic actions. The third contributionaddresses the fossil record of microorganisms, and the subsequent chapters thenintroduce the microbial life that currently exists in various terrestrial andaquatic ecosystems. Coverage of the geosphere addresses endolithic organisms,life in caves and the deep continental biosphere, including how subsurfacemicrobial life may impact spent nuclear fuel repositories. The discussion ofthe hydrosphere includes hypersaline environments and arctic food chains. By betterunderstanding examples from the micro biosphere, we can elucidate the many waysin which the niches of different species, both large and small, interconnect withinthe overlapping habitats of this world, which is governed by its microorganisms.