Disturbance and stability dynamics in microbial communities for environmental biotechnology applications

Abstract

Microbial communities are corner stones of environmental biotechnology, driving essential processes such as waste degradation, pollutant removal, and nutrient cycling, all fundamental to industrial bioprocesses and sustainability. The structure and functions of these communities are influenced by environmental disturbances, which can arise from changes in operational conditions. Understanding disturbance–stability dynamics, including the roles of rare taxa and gene potential, is crucial for optimizing processes such as wastewater treatment, bioenergy production, and environmental bioremediation. This review highlights recent theoretical, technical, and experimental advances — including ecological theory, multiscale approaches, and the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence — to predict community responses to disturbances. Together, these insights offer a valuable outlook for developing scalable and robust biotechnology applications.