The Age of Microbes

Over billions of years of Earth’s history, microbes have evolved tremendous genetic diversity. Communities of bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses live in nearly every habitat on the planet. With their stunning diversity of lifestyles, these microbiomes could help blunt the impact of climate change and other wicked environmental problems. Microbiomes regulate planetary element cycles, making them prime candidates for sequestering carbon, particularly in agricultural soils. Because many microbes form partnerships with plants, microbiomes can be tapped to boost crop yield and promote food security in a changing climate. In the ocean and on land, microbiomes play key roles in habitat restoration, bioremediation, and bioenergy production. A new era of microbiome research offers promise to tackle climate change while providing crucial benefits for society such as improved public and environmental health. Fulfilling this promise will require a commitment to collaboration among microbiome scientists, decision makers, and communities of people across multiple sectors.

Steven Allison, University of California, Irvine

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