Impact of global climate change on marine bacterial symbioses and disease

Abstract

Microbes constitute the largest diversity and biomass of all marine organisms, yet they are often ignored during discussions about the impacts of environmental change. This is despite the fact that, of all the organisms on the planet, it is the microbes that will play the largest fundamental role in either mitigating or exacerbating the effects of global climate change. Microbes will also be the first and fastest to shift their metabolic capabilities, host range, function and community dynamics as a result of climate change. Therefore, an understanding of microbial community composition and function in individual niche habitats is vital.