The role of ecological theory in microbial ecology

James I. Prosser*, Brendan J.M. Bohannan, Tom P. Curtis, Richard J. Ellis, Mary K. Firestone, Rob P. Freckleton, Jessica L. Green, Laura E. Green, Ken Killham, Jack J. Lennon, A. Mark Osborn, Martin Solan, Christopher J. van der Gast, J. Peter W. Young

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

607 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)384-392
Number of pages9
JournalNature Reviews Microbiology
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

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