Comparative analyses in aquatic microbial ecology: how far do they go?

Abstract

Methodological developments in recent years have led to an increasein empirical databases on the abundance and functions of aquaticmicrobes, now allowing synthesis studies. Most of these studies haveadopted a comparative approach, such I-hat comparative analyses arenow available for most aspects of aquatic microbial food webs (morethan 50 papers published ill the last 15 years). Some of these analysesapparently yield conflicting results, introducing confusion and unnecessarydisputes in the field. We briefly review the comparative analysesso far produced and we highlight generalities, show that some ofthe perceived discrepancies largely derive from partial analysesof a general underlying trend and formulate predictions based onthese general trends that provide new avenues for research. (C) 2000Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by ElsevierScience B.V. All rights reserved.