Chapter 1. Extremophiles in saline environment: potential for sustainable agriculture -- Chapter 2. Insights into the microbial diversity in saline-alkaline soils of China -- Chapter 3. Microbial diversity of high-altitude geothermal springs in Tajikistan -- Chapter 4. Study of bacterial diversity from saline environments (Salt Mines) of Pakistan and their applications at regional level -- Chapter 5. Taxonomic characteristics of dominant microbial communities in hot spring sediments in Western Georgia -- Chapter 6. Analysis and characteristics of thermal springs in Kazakhstan -- Chapter 7. Purple photosynthetic bacteria: a brief research overview on distribution in Armenia and biotechnological application -- Chapter 8. The genus Thermus: a brief history of cosmopolitan extreme thermophiles: diversity, distribution, biotechnological potential and applications -- Chapter 9. Thermoacidophiles for bioleaching of copper -- Chapter 10. Extreme Thermophilic Microorganisms as a Unique Source of Inspiration for Next Generation Biotechnological Products -- Chapter 11. Biodiversity, Ecological and Commercial Importance of Psychrophilic Microorganisms -- Chapter 12. Microbial stress response to heavy metals -- Chapter 13. Heavy metal resistance in prokaryotes: mechanism and application -- Chapter 14. Bioremediation potential of soil bacteria of heavy metal polluted environments of Kyrgyzstan.

This second edition of the book entitled "Microbial Communities and Interactions in extreme environments" focus on thermophilic and halophilic extremophiles from various ecosystems, their biodiversity, interactions with other organisms and functions within their hostile environment. Biotechnology of extremophiles and their potential agricultural and industrial applications is the focus of this edition. However, extremophiles may cope with their challenging environments. Information on biodiversity of extremophiles and their interactions with the surrounding biomes helps in understanding their ecology and functions within their respective extreme environments. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, microbiologists, capacity builders and policymakers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, forestry, ecology, soil science, microbiology and environmental sciences. .