Introduction to Microbial Ecology

Microbial ecology is the study of microbial diversity and how microorganisms interact within various ecosystems.

An ecosystem is a functional unit where microbes interact with both biotic and abiotic factors.

In these ecosystems, habitats like leaves, roots, and soil host many microbes. Microbes of the same species form a population.

When different populations coexist and interact in a habitat, they form a microbial community.

All microorganisms within an ecosystem constitute the microbiota, and the total collection of their genetic material is referred to as the microbiome.

Microbial diversity within communities is measured by species richness and relative abundance, both of which are influenced by factors such as nutrient availability and environmental conditions, including temperature, pH, and oxygen levels.

For example, nutrient-rich soils support high species richness, with many microbes coexisting at moderate abundances.

On the other hand, extreme ecosystems like acidic, iron-rich lakes support low species richness but high abundance of specialized microbes, such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.