Role of microbiota in the natural processes and interactions in karst

Energy and the presence of nutrients are essential for life. The improved understanding of biogeochemical cycles, the flow of energy, interactions between different populations of microorganisms, and the impact of subterranean conditions on life, which we will gain, will make a key contribution to improving our understanding of the deep biosphere and of the role of microbiota in the natural processes and interactions in karst.

Occurrence of iron bacteria in a cave with unexploded ordnance, photo Blaž Kogovšek.