Microbial invasions in terrestrial ecosystems

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Microbiology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Human activities like travel and trade accelerate the global spread of invasive microorganisms.
• Terrestrial ecosystems are increasingly affected by microbial invasions, impacting native species and ecosystem functions.
• Research is advancing our understanding of microbial invasion processes and their ecological consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of knowledge on terrestrial invasive microorganisms.
• To discuss the ecological impacts of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic invasive microbes.
• To identify key research areas for advancing the field of microbial invasion ecology.

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental and observational studies on terrestrial microbial invasions.
• Compilation of examples of invasive microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, protists, viruses).
• Analysis of impacts at various ecological levels, from host species to entire ecosystems.

Main Results:

• Invasive microorganisms, including diverse microbial groups, pose significant threats to terrestrial ecosystems.
• Impacts range from direct effects on host species to broader ecosystem-level alterations.
• Current understanding of alien-native microbial interactions and their implications remains limited.

Conclusions:

• Microbial invasions represent a growing ecological challenge with far-reaching consequences.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interactions between invasive and native microorganisms.
• Integrating research on microbial interactions, impacts, and climate change is essential for a comprehensive understanding.