Advances in Microbial Ecology

Advances in Microbial Ecology was established by the International Com- mittee on Microbial Ecology (ICOME) to provide a means for in-depth, critical, and even provocative reviews to emphasize current trends in the rapidly expanding area of microbial ecology. Advances in Microbial Ecol- ogy is now recognized as a major source of information and inspiration both for practicing and for prospective microbial ecologists. The majority of reviews published in Advances have been prepared by leaders in par- ticular areas following invitations provided by the Editorial Board. Although the Board intends to continue its policy of soliciting reviews, individual microbial ecologists are encouraged to submit outlines of unsolicited contributions to any member of the Editorial Board for con- sideration for inclu~ion in Advances. Volume 9 of Advances in Microbial Ecology covers a particularly broad range of topics related to microbial ecology. The potential for applying ribosomal RNA sequence analysis for the definition of natural microbial populations is considered by N. R. Pace, D. A. Stahl, D. J. Lane, and G. J. Olsen. Other reviews on techniques include the applica- tion of microelectrode technology to microbial ecosystems by N. P. Revsbech and B. B. J0rgensen and the use of rates of nucleic acid synthe- sis to determine bacterial growth rates in natural aquatic habitats by D. J. W. Moriarty. The contribution by T. Fenchel discusses the ecology of heterotrophic microflagellates. J. H. Andrews and R. F. Harris present the concept of r- and K-selection and its relevance to microbial ecology.