Global Microbiome for Agroecology, Industry, and Human Well-Being: Opportunities and Challenges in Climate Change

Abstract

Microbiome demonstrates tremendous functional diversity and thus it drives numerous services (e.g., nutrient cycling, plant and animal/human host fitness, biodegradation of contaminants, industrial processes such as the production of biofuel and other products, etc.). Despite some correlational survey type reports, it has been challenging to link microbiome species diversity to microbiome-driven specific services, especially in the context of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning research (BDEF). Theoretical, methodological, and practical limitations represent numerous challenges to extend the implications of microbiome diversity in ecosystem nutrient management, plant growth promotion, bioremediation, host fitness and industrial processes, etc. Though the recent implications of ecology theory in microbiome ecology, the pros and cons of classical ecology theory may not be enough for full comprehension of microbiome diversity–services relationship. Meanwhile, a silent loss of microbiome diversity could potentially reduce the multifunctionality and capacity of global ecosystem to buffer the adverse consequences of climate and land use changes. Developing new insights, hypotheses, and theories keeping in mind the tremendous species or traits diversity of global microbiome and empirically analyzing the merits and demerits of classical ecological theory may advance the implications of microbiome diversity—functioning research in environmental, agroecological, industrial, and medical fields. Moreover, it may help to predict the functional responses of global microbiome diversity to climate and land use changes, which is instrumental for developing strategies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of microbiome natural resources for human well-being.