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The book overviews the complex interactions amongst the microbes and their possible applications. Emphasis has been made to include a wide spectrum of experimental and theoretical contributions from eminent researchers in the field. Microbial communities are the assemblages of microorganisms of various species which live together in the same environment and continuously interact with each other. The microbial cells in communities display unique phenotypes that affect the survival and reproduction of other cells present around them. These phenotypes constitute the social adaptations that drive the interactions between microbial cells. The interactions, further determine the productivity, stability and the ability of community to resist the environmental perturbations. These microbial communities live with extremely competitive niche and fight for their survival and genetic persistence. But they frequently appear in niche with multifaceted and interactive webs rather than the planktonic nature. This can be within the same species or with different species, or even with diverse genera and families. It either a competitive winner community whereas the “weaker” strain goes extinct or a competitor that coexist with their metabolic secretory potentials or a separator that assigned their own community territorial niches. Sometimes, it can be neutral or tritagonist. These microbial associations within the microbiome provides the foundation for diverse forms of microbial ecology and determined the applied perspectives for agriculture, clinical and industrial sectors. This book will be useful to postgraduate students, researchers from academic as well as industry working in the field of microbial exploration with keen interest in survival factors and mechanism of their survival by various ecological and functional strategies.

The book compiles the latest studies on microorganisms thriving in extreme conditions. Microbes have been found in extremely high and low temperatures, highly acidic to saline conditions, from deserts to the Dead sea, from hot-springs to underwater hydrothermal vents- the diversity is incredible. The various chapters highlight the microbial life and describe the mechanisms of tolerance to these harsh conditions, and show how an understanding of these phenomena can help us exploit the microbes in biotechnology. The theme of the book is highly significant since life in these environments can give vital clues about the origin and evolution of life on earth, as a lot of these conditions simulate the environment present billions of years ago. Additionally, the study of adaptation and survival of organisms in such environments can be important for finding life on other planets. This book shall be useful for students, researchers and course instructors interested in evolution, microbial adaptations and ecology in varied environments.