About this Research Topic

Background

Microorganisms, comprising bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists, represent the most abundant and diverse life forms on Earth. They play indispensable roles in ecosystem functioning, including nutrient cycling, energy flow, symbiotic relationships, and disease regulation. Despite their immense importance, our understanding of their roles and functions in ecosystems remains limited.

In recent years, research on environmental microorganisms has experienced significant expansion, unveiling their complexity and ecological significance. However, numerous questions persist regarding their diversity, interactions, adaptations, and responses to environmental changes. Addressing these knowledge gaps is critical for advancing our understanding of microbial ecology and evolution.

The goal of this Research Topic is to delve into recent advances in the study of environmental microorganisms and their ecological significance. We aim to explore their roles in nutrient cycling, energy dynamics, community interactions, and responses to environmental changes. Additionally, we seek to unravel the mechanisms underlying their adaptations and functional diversity.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and methodological papers that contribute to our understanding of environmental microorganisms. Interdisciplinary studies that integrate multiple scientific disciplines are particularly encouraged, bridging fields such as ecology, microbiology, genetics, and biotechnology. This Research Topic invites contributions that address various aspects of environmental microorganisms, including but not limited to:

1. Diversity and community structure of environmental microorganisms
2. Interactions between microorganisms and their environment
3. Functional roles of microorganisms in nutrient cycling and energy flow
4. Symbiotic relationships and microbial-mediated mutualisms
5. Microbial responses to environmental changes and stressors
6. Molecular and genomic approaches to studying environmental microorganisms
7. Innovative methodologies and technological advancements in microbial ecology

Keywords: environmental microorganisms, microbial ecology, ecosystem functioning, microbial diversity, nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, environmental changes, molecular approaches

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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