Sampling Sediment and Soil: Use of Coring Devices

Individually, molecular and classical microbial ecology techniques are powerful tools in microbial ecology, but both are limited with respect to relating the presence and/or diversity of microorganisms to their function/activity in that environment (1 ,2 ). By combining the two approaches this obstacle can be overcome. Paramount in this respect are in situ sampling procedures that produce samples in a form representative of that environment or habitat (3 ).