Microorganisms, the catalysts of all biogeochemical cycles on Earth, are the origin and essence of life―an invisible yet powerful force sustaining all living organisms. The health of both individual organisms and ecosystems critically depends on functional microbiomes that drive essential processes such as nutrient cycling, pathogen control, detoxification, and resilience. However, like their macroorganism counterparts, these beneficial microbes are vulnerable to environmental changes, and their decline often accelerates ecosystem degradation.
Anthropogenic impacts have profoundly altered and often degraded most ecosystems and their microbiomes, with coral reefs being no exception. Stony corals, the foundation of these vibrant ecosystems, are among the most threatened marine organisms. Shifts in coral microbiomes toward dysbiotic (harmful) assemblages are increasingly recognized as both a cause and consequence of coral mortality. In response, active intervention strategies are being developed to restore and rehabilitate degraded microbiomes, aiming to restore and re-establish the beneficial microbial communities that sustain the health of both their host organisms and ecosystems.
The success of these approaches depends on our understanding of the distribution, ecological roles, and interactions between corals and their associated microbiomes, as well as how environmental factors influence them and their potential to either amplify or mitigate anthropogenic impacts. This book delves into these topics, examining how they shape coral holobiont assemblages and offer pathways for active intervention. In addition, this book provides a practical, tailored, and adaptable roadmap for stakeholders to integrate the latest insights into a broader One Health framework and ecosystem perspective.
Prof. Raquel S. Peixoto is a microbial ecologist investigating the diversity, ecological role, and biotechnological potential of microorganisms associated with marine organisms. Her pioneering work has outlined the protocols and proven the concept that the use of microbial therapies and coral probiotics is possible and can increase a host's resilience and resistance against environmental threats. She is currently the President of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) and focused on highlighting the importance of microbes to promote organism and ecosystem health and fight climate change and their impacts, as well as the key role of microbiologists in planetary health discussions.
Prof. Christian R. Voolstra holds the Professorial Chair of Genetics of Adaptation in Aquatic Systems at the University of Konstanz. His most recent research particularly advanced knowledge of how the microbiome contributes to coral acclimation/adaptation and the delineation of standardized analytical methods (SymPortal, CBASS short-term acute thermal assays, Coracle, etc.) to fasten the development of approaches to mitigate climate change. He is an advocate of open science, open access, and free data sharing. He is currently the President of the International Coral Reef Society (ICRS), stressing the urgency of developing and applying science-based solutions to coral reef restoration following a rigorous, evidence-based decision framework.
