Abstract
Microbial organization within a biofilm community can be thought of as the product of species composition and spatial positioning of individuals within the biofilm matrix. Species composition within a microbial community, also referred to as community structure,8 determines the community’s overall genetic potential for survival and reproductive success under various environmental conditions. Spatial positioning allows individuals to interact physiologically and genetically. It also allows the creation of favorable microbial microenvironments within hostile macroenvironments. When a biofilm community is subjected to an environmental perturbation (e.g., an introduction of a pollutant or antimicrobial compound), continued reproductive success may be facilitated by a process of reorganization consisting of changes in composition and spatial arrangement of individuals within the community. Thus, the structural and spatial organization of a biofilm community, and its functional significance, should be a consideration when attempting to control or enhance the activities of biofilm communities in industrial or environmental settings.
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