Natural Microbial Communities

Principles of microbiological behaviour and physiology in various natural environments are topics of this overview on Natural Microbial Communities. Ecological features of aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environments are discussed with repect to diversitiy and adaptability of species, growth and physiological state in nature, microenvironments, migration, succesion and segregation of microbial communities. The geochemical impact on the earth, interactions with chemical and physical environments and interactions of microorganisms with plants and animals are further topics. The section on applied aspects of microbes in agriculture, food fermentation, biological and chemical pollution and waste water treatment will be of special interest.