Their World: A Diversity of Microbial Environments

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

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2. Towards a Unified Understanding of Evolution, Habitat and Niche

   • Christon J. Hurst

   Pages 1-33

3. Defining the Concept of a Species Physiological Boundaries and Barriers

   • Christon J. Hurst

   Pages 35-67

4. Microbes and the Fossil Record: Selected Topics in Paleomicrobiology

   • Alexandru M. F. Tomescu, Ashley A. Klymiuk, Kelly K. S. Matsunaga, Alexander C. Bippus, Glenn W. K. Shelton

   Pages 69-169

5. Endolithic Microorganisms and Their Habitats

   • Christopher R. Omelon

   Pages 171-201

6. The Snotty and the Stringy: Energy for Subsurface Life in Caves

   • Daniel S. Jones, Jennifer L. Macalady

   Pages 203-224

7. Microbiology of the Deep Continental Biosphere

   • Thomas L. Kieft

   Pages 225-249

8. Microbiology of the Deep Subsurface Geosphere and Its Implications for Used Nuclear Fuel Repositories

   • J. R. McKelvie, D. R. Korber, G. M. Wolfaardt

   Pages 251-300

9. Life in Hypersaline Environments

   • Aharon Oren

   Pages 301-339

10. Microbes and the Arctic Ocean

    • Iain Dickinson, Giselle Walker, David A. Pearce

    Pages 341-381

This volume summarizes recent advances in environmental microbiology by providing fascinating insights into the diversity of microbial life that exists on our planet. The first two chapters present theoretical perspectives that help to consolidate our understanding of evolution as an adaptive process by which the niche and habitat of each species develop in a manner that interconnects individual components of an ecosystem. This results in communities that function by simultaneously coordinating their metabolic and physiologic actions. The third contribution addresses the fossil record of microorganisms, and the subsequent chapters then introduce the microbial life that currently exists in various terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Coverage of the geosphere addresses endolithic organisms, life in caves and the deep continental biosphere, including how subsurface microbial life may impact spent nuclear fuel repositories. The discussion of the hydrosphere includes hypersaline environments and arctic food chains. By better understanding examples from the micro biosphere, we can elucidate the many ways in which the niches of different species, both large and small, interconnect within the overlapping habitats of this world, which is governed by its microorganisms.

• Acidophiles
• Microbial diversity
• Extremophiles
• Halophiles
• Paleomicrobiology
• Plankton
• Subsurface microbial life
• Hypersaline environments
• Arctic food chains
• Microbiosphere
• Deep subsurface geosphere
• Microbial habitats
• marine and freshwater sciences

​“Overall the three book series is an excellent resource that describes a new vision for microbial ecology based upon the guiding principles of evolution, habitat, and niche.  The series provides a rich set of examples that emphasize all three aspects of these guiding principles along with the interaction of microbial species within the context of these guiding principles.  The series is a must read that provides a new look at how the microbial world works.” (Helena M. Solo-Gabriele, Ph.D, P.E., Professor of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA)

• Cincinnati, USA

  Christon J. Hurst

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