Science, 6 September 2024
Science talks with a pair of biologists about why microbes—even pernicious ones—are worthy of conservation
‘Nasty’ microorganisms need saving, too
Nearly half of all animal species on Earth live inside other animals as parasites. There are an estimated 1 trillion bacterial and viral species that call other creatures home. Yet these critters are often left out of conversations about habitat loss and the value of biodiversity.
In an article published last week in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, biologists say it’s time for conservationists to include in their efforts the planet’s microorganisms—especially when they have evolved alongside their hosts. Doing so will provide a more well-rounded picture of the threats to biodiversity, they argue, and help preserve all species, great and small.
Science spoke with the lead authors of the piece, evolutionary biologist Morten Limborg and graduate student Caroline Winther-Have, both at the University of Copenhagen, about working toward a microbe’s-eye view of conservation.