Role of Microbes in Restoration Ecology

The editors are glad to present this book on a concurrent and succinct topic “Role of Microbes in Restoration Ecology”. Successful eco-restoration of degraded lands can provide essential ecosystem services benefiting the site, environment, wild flora and fauna as well as the locals. Establishment of native and economically-useful plant community in environmentally degraded areas requires rejuvenation of soil health and resetting of feedback loops that connect plant communities with microbial communities. Bacteria, fungi and soil microfauna in the soil constitute complex, heterogeneous communities that shift with changes in soil factors due to eco-restoration practices, enabling establishment of sustainable plant communities. The books presents a panoramic view of cultivable and uncultivable soil microbial biodiversity and the linkages associated between the above and below ground communities in the first chapter. The second chapter presents a deep insight on role of microbes as driver of soil processes. The next chapter focusses on the role of microbes as amelioration agents for polluted sites with various examples and case studies. Chapter four talks about the connection between techniques applied in eco-restoration programs for introduction and establishment of forest communities and the role played by microbial communities for success of such programs. Chapter five of the book dissects some of the most recent finding and developments regarding the interaction between soil microbial diversity with invasive alien species and the forces shaping microbial communities and current ecological theories. The last chapter presents some of the case studies where microbes have been fundamental in ecologically restoring the site in a short period of time. We believe that with this distribution of relevant and connected topics into chapters, the structure of the book will present a continuum of information on the role played by microbes and their importance in ameliorating and sustaining any ecosystem whether terrestrial or aquatic.We look forward to and will really appreciate feedback by our readers.