Microbial communities are ubiquitous, inhabiting nearly every ecological niche and performing essential functions that underpin vital ecosystem services like food production, nutrient cycling, and water purification. However, in our rapidly changing world, these microbiomes face numerous natural and human-induced stressors. The consequences for microbial communities and the critical services they support are largely unknown. By applying the conceptual frameworks of microbial ecology and microbial ecotoxicology, we can better understand the structure, function, and dynamics of microbial communities and their roles in ecosystem health and sustainability. This topic seeks studies that investigate microbiomes through the lens of microbial ecology, spanning a wide range of ecosystems from pristine natural environments to those under extreme human pressure.

This Research Topic invites scientists participating in the 12th congress of the Francophon Association of Microbial Ecology (AFEM) to submit studies that deepen our understanding of environmental microbiomes. We're looking for research exploring their composition, structure, interactions, functions, and responses to various abiotic and biotic factors. Microbiomes, which encompass a vast diversity of life across all three domains, exhibit interactions ranging from antagonistic to synergistic. These interactions drive numerous ecological functions vital for various ecosystem services. Investigating microbiomes in diverse habitats—from terrestrial to aquatic, and under various pressures from pristine to anthropogenically impacted—is crucial. Such studies are urgently needed to address the challenges posed by multiple interacting stressors, ultimately ensuring ecosystem health and global sustainability.

This Research Topic invites scientists participating in the 12th congress of the Francophone Association of Microbial Ecology to submit scientific articles that explore the diversity, functions, interactions, and applications of environmental microbiomes across various contexts and ecosystems.
We're especially interested in studies focusing on the ecology of microbial communities within ecosystems:
- Microbiota-host and microbiota-microbiota interactions,
- Links between microbiomes, ecosystem functioning, and services,
- Microbial biotechnologies for ecosystem sustainability,
-Microbiomes in the context of anthropogenic pressures, including climate change and pollution,

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Towards a Better Understanding, Managing and Engineering of Environmental Microbiomes in a Changing World