Professional Documents
Culture Documents
discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41903191
CITATIONS READS
0 4,459
1 author:
Mercedes Berlanga
University of Barcelona
81 PUBLICATIONS 644 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
All content following this page was uploaded by Mercedes Berlanga on 03 June 2014.
B OO K R E V I EW
Mercedes Berlanga
asitism and predation). Interactions of microorganisms human societies that can be solved through an under-
with plants, as well as commensal and mutualistic standing of microbial ecology and the ability to control
interactions may occur in the rhizosphere; in addition, microbial growth and activities for the benefit of
the interaction of certain viruses, bacteria, and fungi humankind. Microbial ecology can also provide us to
with plants cause diseases in the latter that can result in with acceptable solutions to current problems, such as
great economic losses and even severe food shortages. xenobiotics (compounds resistant to biodegradation)
Finally, interactions between microorganisms and ani- and inorganic pollutants (including pollutants due to
mals are also described. While negative interactions, i.e. human activities) accumulation, control of biodeterio-
involving agents that cause animal disease, are perhaps ration, water and food sanitation, soil conservation,
the most well-known, there are also beneficial interac- and bioremediation.
tions, such as those of intestinal symbionts, and asso- Each chapter concludes with a summary, followed by
ciations with chemoautotrophic bacteria in deep-sea a study-questions section and a list of references and
thermal vent environment. Part III deals with microbial suggested reading. The accompanying illustrations are
communities and ecosystems. The ecological hierarchy extremely helpful in understanding a process, structure
of microorganisms ranges from individuals to an inte- or abstraction; there are also tables that condense in-
grated community within an ecosystem. Populations of formation discussed in the chapter. The chapters also
microorganisms have functional roles (niches) within contain ‘‘boxes’’ which highlight items of interest, such
communities that permit their survival, but various as exciting areas of research and the practical impact of
abiotic factors (nutrients, temperature, salts concen- microbial activities.
tration, pressure, water activity, etc.) strongly influence Ecologı´a microbiana: Fundamentos y aplicaciones is
the ecological distribution and functioning of microbial the Spanish version of the 4th edition of Microbial
populations. One chapter describes microorganisms in Ecology: fundamental and applications. The text was
their natural habitats: water, air and soil. Another translated by an experienced team and coordinated by
important ecological topic, discussed extensively, is the Prof. R. Guerrero. Spanish and Latin American stu-
biogeochemical cycling activity carried out by micro- dents may now further their knowledge regarding the
bial communities. Part IV deals with applications of microbial world, and especially the role of microbial
microbial ecology. Preventing the deterioration of organisms, how they work to maintain life on Earth and
foods and materials, maintaining fertile agricultural the health of the planet. Microbial ecosystems have
soils, ensuring the supply of healthful drinking water, many attractive features and provide exceptional possi-
and finding acceptable means for the disposal of liquid bilities for extending our understanding of structure and
and solid waste materials are longstanding problems of function in nature.