Challenges in microbial ecology: building predictive understanding of community function and dynamics

Stefanie Widder, Rosalind J Allen, Thomas Pfeiffer, Thomas P Curtis, Carsten Henrik Wiuf, William T Sloan, Otto X Cordero, Sam P Brown, Babak Momeni, Wenying Shou, Helen Kettle, Harry J Flint, Andreas F Haas, Béatrice Laroche, Jan-Ulrich Kreft, Paul B Rainey, Shiri Freilich, Stefan Schuster, Kim Milferstedt, Jan R van der MeerTobias Groβkopf, Jef Huisman, Andrew Free, Cristian Picioreanu, Christopher Quince, Isaac Klapper, Simon Labarthe, Barth F Smets, Harris Wang, Orkun S Soyer

286 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

The importance of microbial communities (MCs) cannot be overstated. MCs underpin the biogeochemical cycles of the earth's soil, oceans and the atmosphere, and perform ecosystem functions that impact plants, animals and humans. Yet our ability to predict and manage the function of these highly complex, dynamically changing communities is limited. Building predictive models that link MC composition to function is a key emerging challenge in microbial ecology. Here, we argue that addressing this challenge requires close coordination of experimental data collection and method development with mathematical model building. We discuss specific examples where model-experiment integration has already resulted in important insights into MC function and structure. We also highlight key research questions that still demand better integration of experiments and models. We argue that such integration is needed to achieve significant progress in our understanding of MC dynamics and function, and we make specific practical suggestions as to how this could be achieved.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftI S M E Journal
Vol/bind10
Udgave nummer11
Sider (fra-til)2557-2568
Antal sider12
ISSN1751-7362
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 1 nov. 2016

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