The microbial ecology approaches the place and the role of the Micro-organismes in a habitat (environment, ecosystem) as well as the interactions of the micro-organisms between them and with their medium.

Microbial ecology consists in characterizing the microbial Biodiversité of an ecosystem, to characterize the interactions between micro-organisms (trophic chains), to identify the role of the micro-organisms in the ecosystem, to study the interactions host-micro-organisms (Symbiose, Commensalisme, Parasitisme, agent Pathogène…).

The micro-organisms being very numerous, ubiquist S (present everywhere in the world), very diversified, very adaptive, have a paramount importance in many fields. Microbial ecology thus covers very varied fields.

• biogeochemical Cycle of the matter: importance of the microbial biodiversity in the Cycle of carbon, Cycle of the nitrogen, Cycle of sulfur, cycle of phosphate…

• Depollution: natural depollution of the mediums thanks to the micro-organisms and use of the micro-organisms in the treatment of waste water or the polluted grounds.
• Agriculture: interaction of the micro-organisms with the plants (Pathogenic Symbiosis or ).
• Medicine human and veterinary: importance of the parasite S, the Bacterium S and pathogenic Viruses.
• Agroalimentary: importance of the microbial biodiversity in processes of transformation or fermentation of food products (cheese, yoghourt, wine, sauerkraut, sausage…) ; role of certain micro-organisms in the deterioration of food products.
• Biotechnology: knowledge of the microbial biodiversity to characterize new molecules having properties interesting for the pharmaceutical and/or industrial mediums.
• Evolution: the ancestral organization having involved the appearance of the life was probably close to the current bacteria.

See too

• ecology
• human ecology
• ecology policy
• total ecology

External bonds

• Course on the microbial ecology of the food (protection against the bacteria) poly 19 p. illustrated, Prof Corpet, National school veterinary surgeon de Toulouse 2004.