Abstract
Recent advances in microbial community ecology have reframed our view of the microbial world. In particular, advances in understanding the importance of horizontal gene transfer and symbiotic relationships with host organisms carry practical relevance for agriculture and medicine. In both areas, growing recognition of the potential to cultivate beneficial microbial communities presents opportunities to revolutionize conventional practices. Regenerative farming systems based on soil-health building principles can greatly reduce major impacts of agriculture’s environmental footprint. And dietary practices that promote nutrient-dense foods and cultivate beneficial gut microbiomes can help address the distinctly modern chronic diseases that increasingly afflict humanity. Acknowledging the duality of the microbial world and adopting practices to promote development of beneficial communities and limit opportunities for pathogens could transform these two areas that remain central to human health.
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Montgomery, D.R. (2021). The Revolutionary Potential of the Hidden Half of Nature in Agriculture and Medicine. In: Hurst, C.J. (eds) Microbes: The Foundation Stone of the Biosphere. Advances in Environmental Microbiology, vol 8. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63512-1_12
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