An Unknown Unknown - What s the State of Microbial Biodiversity?
Scientists have shown that healthier communities of microorganisms in the human gut are also more diverse. But what about the natural world? We know that biodiversity among plants and animals is in serious decline and has been for some time. Some researchers have even warned that a sixth mass extinction is currently happening. Now, investigators are asking whether we should begin to monitor microbial diversity.
Though we re aware of lots of mysteries, there s also stuff we re totally unaware of that we also haven t even thought about - the unknown unknowns. Microbial diversity is a kind of biological unknown unknown, said Dr. David S. Thaler of the University of Basel, Switzerland, a Guest Investigator at The Rockefeller University s Program for the Human Environment (PHE).
Is microbial life, including viruses, changing too?
Mon, Apr 19 2021 09:39:17 AM
New Delhi, Apr 19 (IANS): With alarms sounded about the declining diversity of plants and animals, a related concern with equally profound implications is posed: Is the variety of microbial life, including viruses, changing too and if so, in which direction and how fast?
In a paper published on Monday, David S. Thaler of the University of Basel, Switzerland, and Guest Investigator at The Rockefeller University s Programme for the Human Environment (PHE), notes clearly downwards trajectory of plant and animal diversity, constituting a key issue of the Anthropocene .
Whether change is underway also in the world of microbes the tiniest cogs in planetary functioning is a complete unknown. We have no idea whether global microbial diversity is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same, says Thaler.
Is microbial life, including viruses, changing too?
By IANS |
5 Views Is microbial life, including viruses, changing too? . Image Source: IANS News
New Delhi, April 19 : With alarms sounded about the declining diversity of plants and animals, a related concern with equally profound implications is posed: Is the variety of microbial life, including viruses, changing too and if so, in which direction and how fast?
In a paper published on Monday, David S. Thaler of the University of Basel, Switzerland, and Guest Investigator at The Rockefeller University s Programme for the Human Environment (PHE), notes clearly downwards trajectory of plant and animal diversity, constituting a key issue of the Anthropocene .
The great unknown of global microbial diversity cosmosmagazine.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cosmosmagazine.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
As plant/animal diversity wanes, is microbial life changing too? A perilously profound Ignorance eurekalert.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eurekalert.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.