Microbiomes of Soils, Plants and Animals

An Integrated Approach

Rachael E. Antwis, Xavier A. Harrison, Michael J. Cox

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781108473712
• eBook ISBN: 9781108601566
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Ecology
• Index: Biological Sciences

Through a long history of co-evolution, multicellular organisms form a complex of host cells plus many associated microorganism species. Consisting of algae, bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and viruses, and collectively referred to as the microbiome, these microorganisms contribute to a range of important functions in their hosts, from nutrition, to behaviour and disease susceptibility. In this book, a diverse and international group of active researchers outline how multicellular organisms have become reliant on their microbiomes to function, and explore this vital interdependence across the breadth of soil, plant, animal and human hosts. They draw parallels and contrasts across hosts in different environments, and discuss how this invisible microbial ecosystem influences everything from the food we eat, to our health, to the correct functioning of ecosystems we depend on. This insightful read also pertinently encourages students and researchers in microbial ecology, ecology, and microbiology to consider how this interdependence may be key to mitigating environmental changes and developing microbial biotechnology to improve life on Earth.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title page
• Series page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• List of Abbreviations
• Chapter One Microbiomes of soils, plants and animals: an introduction
• Chapter Two Analytical approaches for microbiome research
• Chapter Three Microbiomes of soils
• Chapter Four Factors that shape the host microbiome
• Chapter Five Microbial symbioses and host nutrition
• Chapter Six The microbiome and host behaviour
• Chapter Seven Host microbiomes and disease
• Chapter Eight Adapting to environmental change
• Chapter Nine Microbial biotechnology
• Chapter Ten Synthesis and future directions
• Index