Diversity-Function Relationships in Natural, Applied, and Engineered Microbial Ecosystems

Abstract

The connection between ecosystem function and taxonomic diversity has been of interest and relevance to macroecologists for decades. After many years of lagging behind due to the difficulty of assigning both taxonomy and function to poorly-distinguishable microscopic cells, microbial ecology now has access to a suite of powerful molecular tools which allow its practitioners to generate data relating to diversity and function of a microbial community on an unprecedented scale. Instead, the problem facing today's microbial ecologists is coupling the ease of generation of these datasets with the formulation and testing of workable hypotheses relating the diversity and function of environmental, host-associated and engineered microbial communities. Here we review the current state of knowledge regarding the links between taxonomic alphaand beta-diversity and ecosystem function, comparing our knowledge in this area to that obtained by macroecologists who use more traditional techniques. We consider the methodologies that can be applied to study these properties, and how successful they are at linking function to diversity, using examples from the study of model microbial ecosystems, methanogenic bioreactors (anaerobic digesters) and host-associated microbiota. Finally, we assess ways in which our newly-acquired understanding might be used to manipulate diversity in ecosystems of interest in order to improve function for the benefit of us or the environment in general through the provision of ecosystem services.

Differences in the intestinal microbiota and association of host metabolism with hair coat status in cattle

“…Firstly, the SHC group cows exhibited a noticeably higher community diversity (α and β diversity) within their intestinal microbiota was detected. This observation supports the notion that increased diversity within an ecosystem can improve its stability, productivity, and overall functioning ( Free et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, studies have revealed a correlation between a higher growth rate and enhanced diversity in the intestinal microbial community of human infants ( Ford et al, 2019 ).…”

Constant light exposure alters gut microbiota and short‐/medium‐chain fatty acids and aggravates PCOS‐like traits in HFD‐fed rats

“…α‐diversity metrics are used to estimate biodiversity of the microbial community. Ecologically, α‐diversity is proposed to correlate with the health of an ecosystem, as diverse communities may increase the stability and productivity of an ecosystem (28). In the present study, the analysis of α‐diversity did not show any significant differences between the ND‐LL and ND‐LD groups.…”

Specific enrichment of hydrocarbonclastic bacteria from diesel-amended soil on biochar particles

“…In many studies, while biostimulation can be very effective in increasing the rate of hydrocarbon degradation, bioaugmentation can have a limited long-term effect (Fuentes et al, 2016;Galitskaya et al, 2016;Wozniak-Karczewska et al, 2019). The latter is a general phenomenon also associated with bioremediation of other toxic compounds such as organohalides (Beaudet et al, 1998), and may be because it is difficult for an exogenous species to become stably established in a competitive community environment (Free et al, 2018). In addition, delivery of microbial inocula to contaminated environments, such as soil, in situ is potentially problematic.…”