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The role of ecological theory in microbial ecology

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Thomas CurtisORCiD

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Abstract

Microbial ecology is currently undergoing a revolution, with repercussions spreading throughout microbiology, ecology and ecosystem science. The rapid accumulation of molecular data is uncovering vast diversity, abundant uncultivated microbial groups and novel microbial functions. This accumulation of data requires the application of theory to provide organization, structure, mechanistic insight and, ultimately, predictive power that is of practical value, but the application of theory in microbial ecology is currently very limited. Here we argue that the full potential of the ongoing revolution will not be realized if research is not directed and driven by theory, and that the generality of established ecological theory must be tested using microbial systems.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Prosser JI, Bohannan BJM, Curtis TP, Ellis RJ, Firestone MK, Freckleton RP, Green JL, Green LE, Killham K, Lennon JJ, Osborn AM, Solan M, van der Gast CJ, Young JPW

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Nature Reviews Microbiology

Year: 2007

Volume: 5

Issue: 5

Pages: 384-392

ISSN (print): 1740-1526

ISSN (electronic): 1740-1534

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1643

DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro1643

PubMed id: 17435792

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