micoresc

Micoresc is a term used in theoretical and applied microbiology to describe a micro-scale ecological unit formed by a network of interacting microorganisms within a defined boundary, such as a soil pore, a biofilm patch, or a microcosm. It is not a formal taxonomic group but a descriptive concept used to study how metabolic exchanges, spatial organization, and collective behavior shape community function at small scales.

Origin and usage: The name combines micro- (small) with ecosystem, and it has appeared in modeling studies, teaching materials, and some speculative discussions of microbial ecology to emphasize linked interactions rather than individual species.

Biology and ecology: A micoresc typically features diverse taxa arranged in spatially structured relationships. Cross-feeding and syntrophy are common, with exchange of sugars, amino acids, and redox-active compounds. Biofilm formation, nutrient gradients, and limited diffusion create emergent properties that differ from those of isolated species.

Habitat: Micoresc are conceptual in aquatic sediments, soil microhabitats, biofilters, and engineered systems such as bioreactors or piping networks, where diffusion is constrained and micro-scale gradients persist.

Research significance: The concept aids in modeling community assembly, resilience, and responses to perturbations. It highlights how local interactions can scale up to influence ecosystem processes, such as nutrient cycling and pollutant degradation. Limitations include its lack of precise boundaries and variability across environments.

Related concepts include microbial consortium, microbiome, biofilm, and metacommunity theory.