Understanding Terrestrial Microbial Communities

Overview

This book presents a summary of terrestrial microbial processes, which are a key factor in supporting healthy life on our planet.

Microorganisms and Soil Ecosystems

The authors explain how microorganisms maintain the soil ecosystem through recycling carbon and nitrogen and then provide insights into how soil microbiology processes integrate into ecosystem science, helping to achieve successful bioremediation as well as safe and effective operation of landfills, and enabling the design of composting processes that reduce the amount of waste that is placed in landfills.

Human Land Use and Microbial Communities

The book also explores the effect of human land use, including restoration on soil microbial communities and the response of wetland microbial communities to anthropogenic pollutants.

Fungi and Infectious Diseases

Lastly it discusses the role of fungi in causing damaging, and often lethal, infectious diseases in plants and animals.