Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 4.1
(continued)
Method
Advantages
Disadvantages
Ribosomal intergenic spacer
analysis (RISA)/automated
ribosomal intergenic spacer
analysis (ARISA)/amplified
ribosomal dna restriction analy-
sis (ARDRA)
Highly reproducible community profiles
Requires large quantities of DNA
(for RISA)
PCR biases
internationally. The ex situ collections of microor-
ganisms form the key repositories of biodiversity
and an essential resource for the future as these
could be linked to the research programs and
developmental aspects of the country that owns
it by assimilating the microbiological aspects,
molecular evolution, systematics, and microbial
chemistry with genome science. Enhanced fund-
ing of stock centers and greater emphasis on edu-
cation and research in microbial systematics will
amplify the broad base of research into microbial
diversity.
Italy, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina
are facing new kind of natural conservation on
account of widespread jungle fires. Microbial di-
versity in forest soils is a key factor in ecosystem
function. Staddon et al. (
1996
) have described
the role of fire and its impact on conservation of
microbial diversity of forest soil. Large-scale en-
demic fires in Andes Mountain ranges increased
the carbon content besides considerable increase
in phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and other trace ele-
ments. This contributed toward increase in num-
ber and variety of microorganisms in soil after
second or third rains. National Biodiversity Con-
servation Board has taken interest in microbial
diversity and its preservation. The corporate-led
globalization and economic models imposed by
WTO were also discussed and were found to be
the main driving force and underlying cause of
biodiversity loss.
Forest conservations were reviewed with ex-
clusion on large-scale monoculture tree planta-
tions and time-bound action plants for stopping
the convention of natural forests. The convention
also issued statement that a tough and clear stand-
point on the spread of genetically modified (GM)
crops and genetic pollution, invasion by alien
species that threaten the ecosystem as well as ban
on terminator technologies is needed. An integral
component of conservation biology will be of
proper economic valuation. The direct value of
microbes rests in their utilization in biotechnol-
ogy, as single cell protein products, as biofertiliz-
ers, while indirect value involve their role as de-
composers and involvement in recycling of plant
and animal matter, as indicators of environmental
pollution, as bioremediation agents and in other
subtle functions of human life.
4.7.2
In Situ Preservation
Basically, in situ preservation involves on-site
conservation of the microbial flora involving
the conservation of the ecosystems and on-site
conservation of the microbial flora involving the
conservation of the ecosystems and natural habi-
tats and the maintenance as well as recovery of
viable populations of species in their natural sur-
roundings and in case of the domesticated or cul-
tivated species, in surroundings where they have
developed their distinctive properties. Conserva-
tion of all subsets of life existing in interplaying
networks will lead to preservation of microbes as
well. Avoiding deforestation and planting trees
(aforestation) will not allow the surface soil to
be washed out by torrential rains, which contains
diverse microflora. Further, avoiding pollution of
water bodies such as oceans, rivers, or lakes will
preserve phytoplanktons, zooplanktons (rotifer-
ans, microalgae, diatoms, dinoflagellates), and
other floating microbes such as
Vibrio parahae-
molyticus
,
Bacillus sp.
,
Spirillum sp.
,
Aquaspi-
rillum sp
. and others. Certain countries such as
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