Microbial diversity and ecosystem function : proceedings of the IUBS/IUMS Workshop held at Egham, UK, 10-13 August 1993 in support of the IUBS/UNESCO/SCOPE `DIVERSITAS' Programme

Micro-organisms are key components in the functioning of ecosystems and the importance of their role is being increasingly recognized. In this volume, more than 30 contributors, invited from around the world, cover a wide range of topics: the extent of microbial diversity, the impact of micro-organisms on global ecology and nutrient cycling, micro-organisms and ecosystem maintenance, extremophiles, inventorying and monitoring micro-organisms and the microbiology resource base. The book is based on papers presented at an IUBS/IUMS/ SCOPE /UNEP-sponsored workshop on Micro-organisms and the Maintenance of Biodiversity held in the UK in August 1993. It provides an up-to-date review of concepts and concerns in this area of biodiversity studies, and should interest a wide range of ecologists and microbiologists.