Microbial ecology is the study of the relationships between microorganisms and their environment. It encompasses all aspects of the ecology of microorganisms, including their distribution, abundance, diversity, community structure and interactions with other organisms. Microbial ecologists use a variety of techniques to study these relationships, including microscopy, molecular biology and biochemistry.
Microbes are ubiquitous in all environments on Earth, from the deep sea to the upper atmosphere. They play a crucial role in many essential ecological processes, such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. In addition, microbes are important agents of disease and play a significant role in food spoilage and foodborne illness. Understanding the ecology of microbes is therefore essential for understanding both natural ecosystems and human health.
The field of microbial ecology has its roots in early studies of fermentation and putrefaction. In the late 19th century, Louis Pasteur showed that fermentation was caused by living organisms (yeasts), not by chemical reactions as had been previously believed. This discovery led to a wave of new research into the relationships between microbes and their environment