In recent years, there has been considerable progress in determining the soil properties that
influence the structure of the soil microbiome. By contrast, the effects of microorganisms on …

Scientific activities take place within the structured sets of ideas and assumptions that define
a field and its practices. The conceptual framework of evolutionary biology emerged with the …

Groundbreaking research on the universality and diversity of microorganisms is now
challenging the life sciences to upgrade fundamental theories that once seemed …

In recent years, scientists have realized that evolution can occur on timescales much shorter
than the" long lapse of ages" emphasized by Darwin—in fact, evolutionary change is …

There is growing concern over tipping points arising in ecosystems because of the crossing
of environmental thresholds. Tipping points lead to abrupt and possibly irreversible shifts …

Niche construction refers to the modification of selective environments by organisms.
Theoretical and empirical studies of niche construction are increasing in importance as foci …

The process of adaptive radiation—the proliferation of species from a single ancestor and
diversification into many ecologically different forms—has been of great interest to …

Understanding the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has major
implications. Biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships are generally investigated at …

Humans, unlike any other multicellular species in Earth's history, have emerged as a global
force that is transforming the ecology of an entire planet. It is no longer possible to …

Theoretical models pertaining to feedbacks between ecological and evolutionary processes
are prevalent in multiple biological fields. An integrative overview is currently lacking, due to …