This book presents a summary of terrestrial microbial processes which are a key factor in
supporting healthy life on our planet. The authors explain how microorganisms maintain the soil
ecosystem through recycling carbon and nitrogen and then provide insights into how soil
microbiology processes integrate into ecosystem science helping to achieve successful
bioremediation as well as safe and effective operation of landfills and enabling the design of
composting processes that reduce the amount of waste that is placed in landfills. The book also
explores the effect of human land use including restoration on soil microbial communities and
the response of wetland microbial communities to anthropogenic pollutants. Lastly it discusses
the role of fungi in causing damaging and often lethal infectious diseases in plants and
animals.
