Microbial invasions in terrestrial ecosystems

• Published in: Nature reviews. Microbiology Vol. 17; no. 10; pp. 621 - 631
• Main Authors: Thakur, Madhav P., van der Putten, Wim H., Cobben, Marleen M. P., van Kleunen, Mark, Geisen, Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.10.2019; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/158/2178; 631/326/171; 631/326/2565/855; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Climate Change; Ecological function; Ecosystem; Fungi; Host Microbial Interactions; Humans; Infectious Diseases; International trade; Introduced Species; Invasions; Life Sciences; Medical Microbiology; Microbial Interactions; Microbiology; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Observational studies; Parasitology; Plants; Review Article; Terrestrial ecosystems; Travel; Virology
• ISSN: 1740-1526; 1740-1534
• DOI: 10.1038/s41579-019-0236-z

Human travel and global trade have tremendously increased the spread of invasive microorganisms in new regions. Experimental and observational studies in terrestrial ecosystems are beginning to shed light on processes of microbial invasions, their ecological impacts and implications for ecosystem functioning. We provide examples of terrestrial invasive microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, oomycetes and other protists, and viruses, and discuss the impacts of pathogenic and non-pathogenic invasive microorganisms at levels ranging from host species to ecosystems. This Review highlights that despite the recent progress in microbial invasion research, we are only beginning to understand how alien microorganisms interact with native microorganisms, and the implications of those interactions. Finally, we propose three research themes — microbial interactions, impacts and climate change — to make microbial invasion research a truly integrative discipline. Invasive alien plants and animals are known to cause disease and disrupt communities. In this Review, Thakur and colleagues discuss examples and impacts of microorganisms that have been introduced in new regions by human activities.