Microbiomes of soils, plants and animals

Published by the British Ecological Society and Cambridge University Press, Microbiomes of Soils, Plants and Animals: An Integrated Approach brings together experts from around the world to explore fundamental questions about the ecology and evolution of microbiomes.

Through a long history of co-evolution, multicellular organisms form a complex of host cells plus many associated microorganism species. Consisting of algae, bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and viruses, and collectively referred to as the microbiome, these microorganisms contribute to a range of important functions in their hosts, from nutrition, to behaviour and disease susceptibility.

The volume is edited by Rachael Antwis (University of Salford), Xavier Harrison (University of Exeter) amd Michael Cox (University of Birmingham). Lead editor, Dr Rachael Antwis commented: “Research into host microbiomes is a rapidly evolving field, but there is relatively little integration between findings from plant, animal and human hosts – this book brings together these often disparate silos for the first time.”

Research into host microbiomes is a rapidly evolving field, but there is relatively little integration between findings from plant, animal and human hosts – this book brings together these often disparate silos for the first time.

In this book, a diverse and international group of active researchers outline how multicellular organisms have become reliant on their microbiomes to function and explore this vital interdependence across the breadth of soil, plant, animal and human hosts. They draw parallels and contrasts across hosts in different environments and discuss how this invisible microbial ecosystem influences everything from the food we eat, to our health, to the correct functioning of ecosystems we depend on.

This insightful read also pertinently encourages students and researchers in microbial ecology, ecology, and microbiology to consider how this interdependence may be key to mitigating environmental changes and developing microbial biotechnology to improve life on Earth.

Microbiomes of Soils, Plants and Animals: An Integrated Approach edited by by Rachael E. Antwis (University of Salford), Xavier A. Harrison (University of Exeter), Michael J. Cox (University of Birmingham) is published 12 March 2020. The book is part of the British Ecological Society’s Ecological Reviews series published with Cambridge University Press, which aims to be a source of ideas and inspiration for ecologists at all career levels. Microbiomes of Soils, Plants and Animals is available for purchase here (£34.99, ISBN 9781108462488). BES members get 25% off all Ecological Reviews titles.