Advances In Microbial Ecology

Advances in Microbial Ecology was established by the International Commis sion on Microbial Ecology to provide a vehicle for in-depth, critical, and, it is hoped, provocative reviews on aspects of both applied and basic microbial ecol ogy. In the five years of its existence, Advances has achieved recognition as a major source of information and inspiration both for practicing and f

This is the third volume of Advances in Microbial Ecology to be produced by the current editorial board. I would, therefore, like to take this opportunity to thank my co-editors for all their efforts, particularly in maintaining a balance of subject matter and geographical distribution of the contributions. Volume 15 is no exception in that we have a balance between the prokaryo tic and eukaryotic organisms and a range of subject matter from applied ecology through process ecology to ecological theory. The response from our readers has been encouraging in the sense that the breadth of coverage is much appreciated, particularly by teachers and postgraduate/postdoctoral researchers. However, we still strive to improve our coverage and particularly to move wider than the North America/Europe axis for contributions. Similarly, we would like to see coverage of the more unusual microbes, perhaps a chapter devoted to the ecology of a particular species or genus. There must exist many ecological notes on "rarer" organisms that have not found their way into the standard textbooks or taxonomic volumes; properly compiled these could provide valuable information for the field ecologist. Ecological theory has, until recently, been the domain of the "macroecolo gist. " Recent advances in molecular techniques will ensure that the microbial ecologist will playa more significant role in the development of the subject. We shall not, therefore, change our policy of encouraging our contributors to specu late, permitting them sufficient space to develop their ideas.

The substantial and impressive changes in microbial ecology can scarcely be chronicled in a meaningful fashion, and a review series such as Advances in Microbial Ecology can thus not do justice to the numerous studies that have been published in recent years. On the other hand, the mere existence of this series bears testimony to the many and diverse activities. The growing concern with microbial communities and processes in natural ecosystems is not restricted to scientists in one region and is not limited to particular groups of organisms or to individual theoretical or applied problems. The recent and successful international symposium on microbial ecology held in New Zealand-sponsored in part by the International Commission on Microbial Ecology, as is the Advances-and the general microbiology and ecology conferences and congresses have included reports from investigators from all corners of the globe and have explored both new and traditional areas, agricultural and public health problems, individual species and complex communities, and heterotrophs and autotrophs as well as ecosystem models relying on mathematical concepts and environmental processes needing sophisticated chemistry for their definition. The reviews in the present volume thus can offer only a minute sampling of the multitude of topics being actively explored at the present time. Two of the reviews focus attention on biogeochemical cycles regulated by microorganisms, in particular the way these organisms contribute to or control the levels and identities of chemical substances in the atmosphere. The chapter by Y. Dommergues, L. W. Belser, and E. L.

We are most gratified by the response to the initiation of this series of volumes presenting recent developments and new concepts in microbial ecology. Favorable reactions have been expressed in both oral and written communication, and Ad vances in Microbial Ecology thus seems to be providing a worthwhile outlet in a rapidly growing field of microbiology and environmental sciences. The growing importance of microbial ecology is evident in many ways. Uni versity personnel are expanding their programs and increasing the number of research topics and publications. Substantial numbers of industrial scientists have likewise entered this field as they consider the microbial transformation of chemicals in waters and soils and the effects of synthetic compounds on natural microbial communities. Agricultural, medical, dental, and veterinary practitioners and scientists have also been increasing their activity in microbial ecology because of the importance of the discipline to their own professions. In addition, govern mental agencies have expanded regulatory and research activities concerned with microbial ecology owing to the importance of information and regulations fo cused on the interactions between microorganisms in nature and particular en vironmental stresses.