I had hoped to find a paper that would allow us to comment directly on the article via the PLOS open discussion system, which is much like our blog. However, failing this for now I must assign a paper that appeared in Science last year.

See: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/315/5815/1126

The PDF can be found here:

http://micropopbio.org/cooper/2008/05/04/comparing-microbial-communities-to-understand-rules-for-their-assembly/

PS: I am reviewing each of your grant proposal drafts and will email my comments to you by Monday midday.