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New tools for elucidating the ecology of micro-organisms in aquatic environments
FEMS Microbiology Ecology 46 (2003) 231
www.fems-microbiology.org
Editorial
New tools for elucidating the ecology of micro-organisms in aquatic environments Aquatic environments have been experiencing rapid and accelerating alterations, largely derived from human activity, whether stemming from local pressure or global change. Since micro-organisms play crucial roles in the biogeochemical processes that sustain aquatic environments, understanding microbial community structure and function is vital for management and conservation of these environments. Moreover, microbes can provide early warnings of anthropogenic and natural change and provide a variety of products essential to mankind’s wellbeing. The last decades have brought improved clarity to man’s understanding of microbial diversity and function in the natural aquatic environments. New methods and approaches have trebled the number of prokaryotic phyla known to exist, have shown that about 50% of the earth’s biomass is microbial and that aquatic viruses are 10-fold more numerous than bacteria. Paradigms concerning the patterns of microbial diversity on di¡erent scales have started to indicate the need for novel approaches for studying aquatic microbiology, thus emphasising the need for linking evolutionary diversity with the eco-physiological signi¢cance in natural environments. To support meaningful international cooperation aquatic scientists are developing standardised protocols for data collection, appropriate analytical, statistical and modelling tools and approaches for analysing the cultural and phylogenetic diversity present in nature. The above topics were addressed during the Eighth Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Ecology (SAME-8) that was held in Taormina (Sicily, Italy) from the 25th to the 29th of October 2002. This was planned as a forum to discuss and integrate recent advances in the ¢eld of
aquatic microbial ecology. SAME-8 aimed to elucidate the role of micro-organisms in the following aspects of aquatic ecology. The structure and the function of the microbial loop in aquatic ecosystems. The functional activities of microbes in biogeochemical cycles and the role of selective grazing and bacteriophages in bacterial population dynamics. The need for analysing biodiversity on a variety of scales and the mechanisms regulating genes and their regulatory elements in aquatic environments. Finally, newly emerging strategies for the prevention and early detection of water-related diseases were also addressed. The meeting brought together aquatic microbial ecologists from all over the world. Thanks are given for the contribution of several industries who provided support (e.g. Enitecnologie, Rome, Italy ; Proteus, N|“mes, France; Giano Ambiente, Messina, Italy). SAME-8 provided a strong interface for exchanging and transferring information between research groups and industry. The large number of young scientists who attended the Symposium has shown that the study of aquatic microbial ecology communities continues to develop strongly. On behalf of the SAME-8 Organising Committee, we are especially grateful to the Chief Editor and Editorial Board of FEMS Microbiology Ecology for having provided us with the opportunity for compiling this Thematic Issue on Aquatic Microbiology that contains many peer-reviewed articles related to the topics discussed at SAME-8 and submitted by the authors who participated in the symposium. John C. Fry (Cardi¡, UK) Laura Giuliano (Messina, Italy) Peter N. Golyshin (Braunscheig, Germany)
0168-6496 / 03 / $22.00 C 2003 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0168-6496(03)00204-6
FEMSEC 1565 24-11-03
www.fems-microbiology.org
Editorial
New tools for elucidating the ecology of micro-organisms in aquatic environments Aquatic environments have been experiencing rapid and accelerating alterations, largely derived from human activity, whether stemming from local pressure or global change. Since micro-organisms play crucial roles in the biogeochemical processes that sustain aquatic environments, understanding microbial community structure and function is vital for management and conservation of these environments. Moreover, microbes can provide early warnings of anthropogenic and natural change and provide a variety of products essential to mankind’s wellbeing. The last decades have brought improved clarity to man’s understanding of microbial diversity and function in the natural aquatic environments. New methods and approaches have trebled the number of prokaryotic phyla known to exist, have shown that about 50% of the earth’s biomass is microbial and that aquatic viruses are 10-fold more numerous than bacteria. Paradigms concerning the patterns of microbial diversity on di¡erent scales have started to indicate the need for novel approaches for studying aquatic microbiology, thus emphasising the need for linking evolutionary diversity with the eco-physiological signi¢cance in natural environments. To support meaningful international cooperation aquatic scientists are developing standardised protocols for data collection, appropriate analytical, statistical and modelling tools and approaches for analysing the cultural and phylogenetic diversity present in nature. The above topics were addressed during the Eighth Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Ecology (SAME-8) that was held in Taormina (Sicily, Italy) from the 25th to the 29th of October 2002. This was planned as a forum to discuss and integrate recent advances in the ¢eld of
aquatic microbial ecology. SAME-8 aimed to elucidate the role of micro-organisms in the following aspects of aquatic ecology. The structure and the function of the microbial loop in aquatic ecosystems. The functional activities of microbes in biogeochemical cycles and the role of selective grazing and bacteriophages in bacterial population dynamics. The need for analysing biodiversity on a variety of scales and the mechanisms regulating genes and their regulatory elements in aquatic environments. Finally, newly emerging strategies for the prevention and early detection of water-related diseases were also addressed. The meeting brought together aquatic microbial ecologists from all over the world. Thanks are given for the contribution of several industries who provided support (e.g. Enitecnologie, Rome, Italy ; Proteus, N|“mes, France; Giano Ambiente, Messina, Italy). SAME-8 provided a strong interface for exchanging and transferring information between research groups and industry. The large number of young scientists who attended the Symposium has shown that the study of aquatic microbial ecology communities continues to develop strongly. On behalf of the SAME-8 Organising Committee, we are especially grateful to the Chief Editor and Editorial Board of FEMS Microbiology Ecology for having provided us with the opportunity for compiling this Thematic Issue on Aquatic Microbiology that contains many peer-reviewed articles related to the topics discussed at SAME-8 and submitted by the authors who participated in the symposium. John C. Fry (Cardi¡, UK) Laura Giuliano (Messina, Italy) Peter N. Golyshin (Braunscheig, Germany)
0168-6496 / 03 / $22.00 C 2003 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0168-6496(03)00204-6
FEMSEC 1565 24-11-03