Microbial diversity in soil: A microscopic world under every footstep -- chapter 13 in the book "Biodiversity Conservation Handbook: State, Local, and Private Protection of Biological Diversity," Environmental Law Institute, Washington, DC, 2006, pp.159-174

Book · Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2006

OSTI ID:938716

Edenborn, H M; Edenborn, S L

Powerful methods that can be used to explore and better surmise the role of microorganisms in the environment have only been developed in the last 20 years, and the discoveries being made with these techniques have been revolutionary compared to those of the previous century. These new molecular tools now enable us to better categorize microbial life and determine its diversity. The importance of the ecosystem and economic functions served by microorganisms further suggests that microbial diversity should be considered as an important, if unseen, component of biodiversity, and that consideration of microbial diversity is an essential element of any program to conserve biodiversity.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE - Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
• DOE Contract Number: None cited
• OSTI ID: 938716
• Report Number(s): DOE/NETL-IR-2006-195; NETL-TPR-0779; ISBN 9781585760961; TRN: US200820%%226
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
MICROORGANISMS
SPECIES DIVERSITY
SOIL CHEMISTRY
POPULATION DYNAMICS