Ecological significance of autotroph–heterotroph microbial interactions in freshwaters

Ecologists often separate pathways of energy flow into those based on either autotrophy (green) or heterotrophy (brown). While these two pathways are easily separated by concept and methodology, increasing evidence shows a complex interplay between autotrophic and heterotrophic components of ecosystems. In freshwater settings, autotroph–heterotroph microbial interactions range widely. Studies suggest that algal–bacterial and algal–fungal...