Overview
- Shares fascinating insights into the evolutionary, biological and ecological importance of microorganisms
- Offers a collection of unique essays, written by noted scientists from various fields
- Includes some philosophical thoughts to put the findings in a broader context
Part of the book series: Advances in Environmental Microbiology (AEM, volume 8)
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
Table of contents (31 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Recognizing the Role of Microorganisms in Our World
-
Front Matter
-
-
Microbial Life Persists Within Even the Most Extreme Environments
-
Front Matter
-
-
Understanding the Core Values of Microbial Metabolism
-
Front Matter
-
-
Microbes Established and Sustain Life
-
Front Matter
-
-
The Basic Aspects of Microbial Symbioses
-
Front Matter
-
Keywords
About this book
This collection of essays discusses fascinating aspects of the concept that microbes are at the root of all ecosystems. The content is divided into seven parts, the first of those emphasizes that microbes not only were the starting point, but sustain the rest of the biosphere and shows how life evolves through a perpetual struggle for habitats and niches. Part II explains the ways in which microbial life persists in some of the most extreme environments, while Part III presents our understanding of the core aspects of microbial metabolism. Part IV examines the duality of the microbial world, acknowledging that life exists as a balance between certain processes that we perceive as being environmentally supportive and others that seem environmentally destructive. In turn, Part V discusses basic aspects of microbial symbioses, including interactions with other microorganisms, plants and animals. The concept of microbial symbiosis as a driving force in evolution is covered in Part VI. In closing, Part VII explores the adventure of microbiological research, including some reminiscences from and perspectives on the lives and careers of microbe hunters.
Given its mixture of science and philosophy, the book will appeal to scientists and advanced students of microbiology, evolution and ecology alike.
Editors and Affiliations
About the editor
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
and
Universidad del Valle, Santiago de Cali, Valle ColombiaBibliographic Information
Book Title: Microbes: The Foundation Stone of the Biosphere
Editors: Christon J. Hurst
Series Title: Advances in Environmental Microbiology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63512-1
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-63511-4Published: 01 May 2021
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-63514-5Published: 02 May 2022
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-63512-1Published: 01 May 2021
Series ISSN: 2366-3324
Series E-ISSN: 2366-3332
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XX, 685
Number of Illustrations: 34 b/w illustrations, 122 illustrations in colour
Topics: Microbial Ecology, Microbiology, Evolutionary Biology