microecology
/ˌmaɪ.kroʊ.ɪˈkɒl.ə.dʒi/ · mi·cro·e·col·o·gy
noun
- The branch of ecology that investigates the interactions, distribution, and functions of organisms at the microscopic level, particularly microbes. Researchers in microecology have discovered how soil bacteria influence plant nutrient uptake.
- A specific ecological community or system composed primarily of microorganisms. The gut microecology of the patient changed dramatically after the antibiotic course.
Synonyms
microbial ecologymicroscopic ecologymicrobiome ecologymicro‑ecologymicrobial biogeographymicro‑environmental ecologynanoecologymicrohabitat ecology
Antonyms
Did you know? The term microecology entered mainstream scientific discourse during the Human Microbiome Project (2008), which highlighted the vast ecological networks of microbes living on and in the human body.