New discoveries are being made about a certain species of bacteria which plays a major role in the carbon cycle. Its so important that changes in population density can actually effect atmospheric composition and disrupt food chains in the ocean.
It turns out that there is a particular species of virus which keeps this bacteria in check. This constant pressure from the virus keeps the bacterial population steady. Interesting how something this important could be missed for so long but its not at all suprising to those that have an understading of ecology.
Making new discoveries like this just goes to show how infinitely complex ecology and nutrient cycling can be. Seems dangerous to assume that disrupting ecology is OK in light of continued discoveries such as this. Every time we think we 'get it' it turns out we are missing major pieces of the puzzle.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130213132323.htm
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