Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
Nat Microbiol. 2022 Nov;7(11):1726-1735. doi: 10.1038/s41564-022-01173-1. Epub 2022 Jul 21.
Global biodiversity loss and mass extinction of species are two of the most critical environmental issues the world is currently facing, resulting in the disruption of various ecosystems central to environmental functions and human health. Microbiome-targeted interventions, such as probiotics and microbiome transplants, are emerging as potential options to reverse deterioration of biodiversity and increase the resilience of wildlife and ecosystems. However, the implementation of these interventions is urgently needed. We summarize the current concepts, bottlenecks and ethical aspects encompassing the careful and responsible management of ecosystem resources using the microbiome (termed microbiome stewardship) to rehabilitate organisms and ecosystem functions. We propose a real-world application framework to guide environmental and wildlife probiotic applications. This framework details steps that must be taken in the upscaling process while weighing risks against the high toll of inaction. In doing so, we draw parallels with other aspects of contemporary science moving swiftly in the face of urgent global challenges.
全球生物多样性丧失和物种大规模灭绝是世界目前面临的两个最关键的环境问题，导致各种对环境功能和人类健康至关重要的生态系统受到破坏。针对微生物组的干预措施，如益生菌和微生物组移植，作为扭转生物多样性恶化和提高野生动物和生态系统弹性的潜在选择正在出现。然而，迫切需要实施这些干预措施。我们总结了当前的概念、瓶颈和伦理方面，包括使用微生物组（称为微生物组管理）来修复生物和生态系统功能时对生态系统资源的谨慎和负责任的管理。我们提出了一个现实世界的应用框架，以指导环境和野生动物益生菌的应用。该框架详细说明了在权衡风险与不作为的高代价的同时，在扩大规模过程中必须采取的步骤。这样做的同时，我们与面对紧迫的全球挑战而迅速推进的其他当代科学方面进行了类比。
