Many spores can be seen in addition to the living bacteria. Spores are a mechanism of survival bacteria use under adverse environmental conditions. Microbial Communities Bacteria below the surface do not have an easy life. Life is very hard. Food is usually scarce, and water is essential for any life form to exist.
Communities are more than just a mixture of different species.
Like cells, they appear to behave as evolving proliferating units. Complex relationships are formed between species as well. The members within communities use different strategies for making and utilizing food. In certain cases, growth slows down dramatically to conserve energy and resources. When conditions become favourable again, the community may decline, as members freely disassociate from it and go their separate ways.