A conceptual framework for invasion in microbial communities.

ABSTRACT: There is a growing interest in controlling-promoting or avoiding-the invasion of microbial communities by new community members. Resource availability and community structure have been reported as determinants of invasion success. However, most invasion studies do not adhere to a coherent and consistent terminology nor always include rigorous interpretations of the processes behind invasion. Therefore, we suggest that a consistent set of definitions and a rigorous conceptual framework are needed. We define invasion in a microbial community as the establishment of an alien microbial type in a resident community and argue how simple criteria to define aliens, residents, and alien establishment can be applied for a wide variety of communities. In addition, we suggest an adoption of the commun

SUBMITTER: Kinnunen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5148196 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature