From the Chief Editor.

The article discusses developments in the periodical "FEMS Microbiology Ecology." The first major change is the decision of Ralf Conrad to retire as chief editor. The second is that the periodical, along with all Federation of European Microbiological Society journals, will be published by Blackwell Publishing Inc. The aim of the periodical is to advance the field of microbial ecology by publishing efficiently and rapidly high-quality, original papers and review articles that increase siginficantly the understanding of microbial ecology.