Microbial Diversity of Different Agroecosystems: Current Research and Future Challenges

Abstract

The presence of different environmental conditions on Earth affects the properties of soil which thereby affect the agricultural systems. The soils vary from place to place like mountain soil that is completely different from desert soil. These differences determine the diversity and community structure of native microorganisms, which indirectly affects the agriculture of that place. Microorganisms are an important component of the ecosystem and play a vital role in processes like nutrient cycling, soil formation by weathering of rocks, and waste recycling. The changes in climate due to extreme weather conditions like drought, heavy rainfall, frost, etc. Are adversely affecting the soil properties. These changes also affect the species distribution, soil microbial community composition, and interactions. Also, this leads to changes in the interspecific relationship between competitors, host/parasite, and predator/prey which changes community structure and ecosystem functions. In this chapter, we will discuss the distribution of different microorganisms among different agroecosystems and the role of these microorganisms in maintaining the ecosystem processes.