Fascinating question and would be an interesting path for testing this hypothesis about microbial/plant associations. Here in San Diego, there are various groups at universities and research institutions that are involved with research in the fascinating world of the human micro-biome, leading to discoveries about previously unimaginable ways these microbes living in the human body benefit human health. For example, the connection between microflora in the human gut and linkages to brain health. So your hypothesis about plant/microbe associations with respect to plant health and ability to cope with stress at high altitudes, could yield some interesting results if pursued.

Dear James,

for my opinion even existance of symbiotic or mutualistic relations is good reason to suppose not good conditions in case of absence of such relations. We know that stress can be measured in units of chaperonin (or GroEL) producing. So, absence of it is signal in extreme surroundings that biocenotic relations have positive effect. I found in my library a Chapter of good book (attached – Advances… from 1995) that belongs to the question raised – look, please, the Introduction by Douglas, – even enough old. Normally speaking about microbial ass. one reminds the Cyanobacteria and lichens. But connections are much wider. And I agree that can appear like may be the only way to survey in harmful men-caused conditions.

Andrey

Thanks, Audrey!