chapters, historical aspects are also mentioned where necessary. Divergent ideas and
conceptions are not suppressed, but openly discussed, as scientific dispute demands.
Therefore it will gain the full attention of not only microbial ecologists, but of all
microbiologists who need to modernize their views of ecology. Also plant and animal
ecologists in general should brush up their knowledge on the often neglected part that
microbes play in the global environment. For all who are involved in contamination and
remediation of soils and waters, in waste treatment, in landscaping, in maintenance of natural
resorts, food microbiology, biotechnology, phytopathology, medical and veterinarian microbiology, this book contains valuable information. This treatise is relevant for every aspect of
modern microbiology and belongs into the hand of every microbiologist.
Persons who have studied this book thoroughly will be able to appreciate the profound truth
of Louis Pasteur’s sentence: “Ce sont les microbes qui auront le dernier mot” (“It is the
microbes that will have the last say”).
Bonn, Germany
Hans G. Tru ¨per
vi
Preface