Biodiversity: so much more than legs and leaves
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS OpenJournals
Abstract
Microorganisms inhabit virtually every possible niche on Earth, including those at the outer envelope of survival. However, the focus of most conservation authorities and ecologists is the ‘legs and leaves’ side of biology – the ‘macrobiology’ that can be seen with the naked eye. There is little apparent concern for the preservation of microbial diversity, or of unique microbial habitats. Here we show examples of the astounding microbial diversity supported by South Africa’s ecosystems and argue that because microbes constitute the vast majority of our planet’s species they should be considered seriously in the future protection of our genetic resources.
Description
Keywords
Bacteria, Endemism, Fungi, Genetic resources, Viruses, Microorganisms, Microbial diversity, South Africa
Citation
Cowan, D.A. et al. (2013). Biodiversity: so much than legs and leaves. South African Journal of Science, 109 (11/12): 1-9