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Science 31 July 2009:
Vol. 325. no. 5940, pp. 573 - 574
DOI: 10.1126/science.1172975
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Perspective

Soil Microbial Communities and Restoration Ecology: Facilitators or Followers?

Jim Harris

Microorganisms have critical roles in the functioning of soil in nutrient cycling, structural formation, and plant interactions, both positive and negative. These roles are important in reestablishing function and biodiversity in ecosystem restoration. Measurement of the community indicates the status of the system in relation to restoration targets and the effectiveness of management interventions, and manipulation of the community shows promise in the enhancement of the rate of recovery of degraded systems.

Department of Natural Resources, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)