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http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/global-soil-biodiversity-atlas-pbLBNA27236/
Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas
Abstract
Key messages
• Soil is an important habitat for thousand millions of organisms.
• Soil biodiversity is extremely diverse in shapes, colours, sizes and functions.
• Soil biodiversity is globally distributed, from deserts to polar regions through grasslands, forests, urban and agricultural areas.
• Soil biodiversity supports many services essential to human beings: plant growth, water and climate regulation, and disease control, among
others.
• Soil biodiversity is increasingly under threat due to several pressures acting on soils.
• Interventions to reduce the impact of threats to soil biodiversity are available and should be widely adopted.
• Policies to protect and value soil biodiversity are still at an early stage and need to be further developed.
http://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/global-soil-biodiversity-atlas
Supplementary resource (1)
Data
December 2016
... terrestrial species have at least part of their life cycle underground), productivity and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems(Wardle, 2002;Yang et al., 2018), soil biodiversity constitutes a proxy for biodiversity and ecosystem health in most forest, grassland and agricultural habitats(Orgiazzi et al., 2016). Soil biodiversity analyses follow the HANDY principle-they are high-tech, accurate, novel, detailed and yielding. ...
... Comprehensive assessment of soil biodiversity, including both macro-and microorganisms, can be carried out using an internationally standardised soil sampling scheme (e.g., SoilBON) coupled with cross-kingdom global analyses of soil biota(Bahram et al., 2022;Guerra et al., 2022;Ritter et al., 2019). Such analyses can also help us develop a better global picture of cryptic biodiversity, such as where hotspots of micro-organismal diversity are located(Guerra et al., 2022;Orgiazzi et al., 2016;Tedersoo et al., 2020). Using soil biodiversity as a metric to evaluate the impact of reforestation and habitat restoration increases the ease of measuring, comparing and monitoring biodiversity across diverse landscapes and over time(Jiao et al., 2018). ...
Societal Impact Statement
Humankind is facing both climate and biodiversity crises. This article proposes the foundations of a scheme that offers tradable credits for combined aboveground and soil carbon and biodiversity. Multidiversity—as estimated based on high‐throughput molecular identification of soil meiofauna, fungi, bacteria, protists, plants and other organisms shedding DNA into soil, complemented by acoustic and video analyses of aboveground macrobiota—offers a cost‐effective method that captures much of the terrestrial biodiversity. Such a voluntary crediting system would increase the quality of carbon projects and contribute funding for delivering the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Summary
Carbon crediting and land offsets for biodiversity protection have been developed to tackle the challenges of increasing greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of global biodiversity. Unfortunately, these two mechanisms are not optimal when considered separately. Focusing solely on carbon capture—the primary goal of most carbon‐focused crediting and offsetting commitments—often results in the establishment of non‐native, fast‐growing monocultures that negatively affect biodiversity and soil‐related ecosystem services. Soil contributes a vast proportion of global biodiversity and contains traces of aboveground organisms. Here, we outline a carbon and biodiversity co‐crediting scheme based on the multi‐kingdom molecular and carbon analyses of soil samples, along with remote sensing estimation of aboveground carbon as well as video and acoustic analyses‐based monitoring of aboveground macroorganisms. Combined, such a co‐crediting scheme could help halt biodiversity loss by incentivising industry and governments to account for biodiversity in carbon sequestration projects more rigorously, explicitly and equitably than they currently do. In most cases, this would help prioritise protection before restoration and help promote more socially and environmentally sustainable land stewardship towards a ‘nature positive’ future.
... As proxies of diversity, Shannon-Weaver (H') index (Shannon and Weaver, 1963) and Simpson (D) index (Simpson, 1949) were calculated across environments using abundance data. Moreover, collected microarthropod taxa were classified in different functional groups according to their more common feeding habits and ecological functions (i.e., saprophages, omnivores and predators; sensu Artz et al., 2010;Orgiazzi et al., 2016). ANOVA with environment as fixed factor was used to test for significant (p-value <0.05) differences in: (1) the abundance of collected microarthropod taxa; (2) the abundance of major groups of taxa (i.e., Acari and Collembola); (3) diversity indices; (4) the abundance of functional groups (i.e., saprophages, omnivores and predators). ...
... Mat.). Oribatid mites are K-strategists with long lifespans and low fecundity (Caruso et al., 2007;Norton and Behan-Pelletier, 2009), whereas prostigmatid and mesostigmatid mites and symphypleon springtails are r-strategists able to reproduce rapidly after disturbances (Petersen and Luxton, 1982;Coleman et al., 2017;Orgiazzi et al., 2016). This indicates that increasing stable abiotic/biotic conditions in P, P+S and DP+S drove mechanisms of niche specialization (Giller, 1996) and, at the same time, promoted the colonization of tailings by soil fauna with wide ecological preferences (Murvanidze et al., 2013), thereby highlighting the role of fertility islands as self-sustaining areas. ...
Abandoned metal(loid) mine tailings show inhospitable conditions for the establishment of above- and below-ground communities (e.g., high metal(loid) levels, organic matter and nutrient deficiency). This worsens in semiarid areas due to the harsh climate conditions. Fertility islands (vegetation patches formed by plants that spontaneously colonize the tailings) can serve as potential nucleation spots fostering beneficial plant-microbial interactions. However, less attention has been paid to the soil invertebrates living beneath these patches and their functional role. Here, we studied whether the spontaneous plant colonization of abandoned metal(loid) mine tailings led to a greater presence of soil microarthropod communities and whether this could contribute to improving ecosystem functionality. Microarthropods were extracted, taxonomically identified and subsequently assigned to different functional groups (saphrophages, omnivores, predators) in bare soils and differently vegetated patches within metalliferous mine tailings and surrounding forests in southeast Spain. Microarthropod communities were significantly different in bare soils compared with vegetated patches in mine tailings and surrounding forests. Plant colonization led to an increase in microarthropod abundance in tailing soils, especially of mites and springtails. Moreover, saprophages and omnivores, but not predators, were favored in vegetated patches. The initial microarthropod colonization was mainly linked to higher organic matter accumulation and greater microbial activity in the vegetated patches within mine tailings. Moreover, soil formation processes already initiated in the tailings were beneficial for soil biota establishment. Thus, below-ground communities created an anchorage point for plant communities by primarily starting heterotrophic activities in the vegetated patches, thereby contributing to recover ecosystem functionality.
... Tropical and temperate forests are hotspots of soil faunal and plant diversity [117]. Our study shows that the soils of these ecosystems have enhanced levels of susceptibility to compaction. ...
Purpose of Review
Predicting, preventing, and minimizing machinery-induced soil compaction are of paramount importance in forest ecosystems. Understanding the soil’s susceptibility to compaction is crucial in achieving these goals. This meta-analysis assessed the relevance of climatic and soil conditions for the susceptibility of forest soils to wood-harvesting-associated compaction across global climatic zones. We utilized soil bulk density change data (effect sizes; compacted versus uncompacted) from 81 forest sites worldwide, and mapped global patterns of the susceptibility of forest soils to compaction using climate and soil data.
Recent Findings
Wood-harvesting operations by harvester-forwarder technologies disturb the soil less as compared to skidders and cable yarders. It has been shown that a high number of vehicle passages (> 20 times) lead to maximum soil damage, although this contradicts the general belief that major soil disturbance occurs within the first few vehicle passages. Despite these important findings, a global compilation of local information on forest soil compaction induced by mechanized wood harvesting is currently lacking. A map that illustrates the global pattern of soil susceptibility to compaction is also required to identify particularly susceptible forest regions.
Summary
Forest soils in tropical and temperate zones were most susceptible to compaction (48% and 30% bulk density increase, respectively), while forest soils in arid and cold zones were less susceptible (15% and 18% bulk density increase, respectively). Soils in tropical and temperate forests receive high annual precipitation amounts, are characterized by high soil organic carbon content and low bulk density, and are often wet, resulting in high susceptibility to compaction. Since tropical and temperate forests are biodiversity hotspots, forest managers and policymakers should pay particular attention to mechanized wood-harvesting operations in these zones, as the recovery of compacted forest soils requires decades.
Graphical Abstract
... This is because, the conversion of land use to monoculture plantations leads to the degradation of ecosystem functions and the loss of biodiversity (Fitzherbert et al., 2008). Moreover, numerous studies have shown that the conversion of natural lands to agriculture, together with agricultural intensi cation that makes the greatest contributions to soil biodiversity loss (Orgiazzi et al., 2016, Sofo et al., 2014. On the other hand, the variation of land use and land coverage has been proven to be an important factor for biodiversity distribution (Zhang et al., 2016, Tao et al., 2016. ...
The conversion of natural lands to agricultural uses is a significant threat to soil biodiversity. Within agriculture, monoculture based systems are the most common which often result in low biodiversity because they impact the abundance, diversity, and composition of soil macrofauna (SMF). The objective of this paper was to analyze SMF abundance and diversity across different agroforestry practices (AFP) in the drylands of southern Ethiopia. The soil monolith and soil samples were collected from homegarden, cropland, woodlot, and trees on soil and water conservation based AFP using the standard Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute manual, and the identification was done based on morphological characteristics and standard identification keys. The abundance, occurrence, and community composition of SMF were significantly different across the different AFPs ( P < 0.05). In this study, 378 SMF belonging to 13 families, including unnamed were identified. The soil ecosystem of AFP was dominated by earthworms (relative abundance = 0.43), followed by termites (relative abundance = 0.12). The homegarden AFP type had a significantly higher number of SMF occurrence index of 46.03 (174), followed by woodlot, 26.72 (101) practices, and the lowest was recorded under cropland, 12.70 (48). The abundance, diversity, richness, and similarity of SMF were significantly related to soil total nitrogen and organic carbon. Phosphorus and pH were significantly related to the abundance and richness of SMF. The homegarden and woodlot AFP types were suitable for SMF biodiversity conservation.
... Soils serve as habitat for the majority of terrestrial biodiversity (Bardgett and van der Putten, 2014;Orgiazzi et al., 2016). Free-living nematodes are among the most abundant and biodiverse invertebrate animals in soil (van den Hoogen et al., 2019). ...
This chapter gives an overview of the agroforestry practices and their role in improving soil biodiversity, soil ecosystem functions and services, and litter decomposition processes in the agroforestry systems of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Agroforestry covers a complex set of practices, and for brevity, we follow the broad categories of agrisilvicultural, agrosilvopastoral, and silvopastoral systems. We discuss the diversity of soil fauna and microorganisms, which are found in the surface layer of soil, and underpin a wide range of soil ecosystem services that are essential to the sustainability of agroforestry systems. The increase in the diversity of soil macrofauna, soil microbial biomass, and microbial diversity in agroforestry systems is due to the ameliorative effects of trees, and greater organic matter inputs with variable litter quality. The improved micro-climate and a higher supply of organic residues generate higher earthworm diversity in tree-based systems. Moreover, a mix of plant species in agroforestry systems allows a larger diversity and abundance of mycorrhizal fungi than monocultures.Through synthesis of several studies, we show that the diverse plant communities and structures can modify the important soil functions and with possible feedback to the above- and below-ground components of both trees and crops. Studies evaluated provisioning, regulation and maintenance, and cultural services provided by soils; several reviews and meta-analysis indicate the beneficial impact of agroforestry on soil ecosystem services including soil conservation, storage and cycling of nutrients, increasing infiltration rate and soil moisture content, improving soil biological quality, controlling diseases and pests, and sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide.The decomposition of litter in agroforestry system differs from that of natural forests and agricultural systems because of differences in the types and quality of organic residue inputs. We synthesized the literature on litter decomposition rates, mathematical models describing the pattern of litter decay, resource quality of litter, and the nutrient release patterns from decomposing litter in different types of agroforestry systems. In most studies, the single exponential mathematical model described the pattern of litter decomposition and nutrient release. The decomposition rate constants (k = 0.37–8.92 year−1) for various litter species are found to be highly variable and often related to litter quality and climatic conditions. The tree species in both traditional and modern agroforestry systems having a combination of low- and high-quality litter show a highly variable nutrient release pattern from the decomposing litter. Agroforestry systems are highly efficient in improving soil biodiversity and litter decomposition processes leading to increase in the crop yield and sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, there is a need for long-term studies on diversity of soil fauna, microorganisms, and litter decomposition for a better understanding of seasonal, short-term, and long-term effects of agroforestry practices.KeywordsAgroforestry practicesSoil faunaMicrobial diversitySoil ecosystem functionsSoil ecosystem servicesDecomposition ratesNutrient release patternLitter quality
Plastic pollution has been a heavy drawback for a number of years; these plastics (MNPs) have gathered notice from researchers all over the world. The fate, determination, and properties of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in soil are not well-known. In fact, yearly three hundred million plastics are created within the environment, and due this plastic trash, the soil acts as a logterm sink. In soil, the fate of MPs and NPs is powerfully determined by plastic physical properties, considering negligible impact is applied by their chemical structures. The derivative of plastic, termed deteriorate, other than generating micro- and nano-size waste, can produce marked changes in their properties (chemical and physical) with applicable impact on their reactivity. Further, these processes might cause the discharge of harmful monomeric and oligomeric components from plastics, likewise as cyanogenic additives, which can enter within the food chain, constituting a potential harm to human health and affecting the flora and fauna within the environment. In relevance their persistence in soil, soil inhabiting list, plastic uptake bacterium, fungi and insect are increasing daily. One among the most ecological functions due to MPs is expounded to their aim as vectors for microorganisms through the soil. However, the most ecological effect of NPs (limited to the fraction size <50 nm) is their capability to suffer the membrane of each being and organism cells. Soil biota, significantly earthworms and order Collembola, are often each MPs and NPs carriers through profile. The utilization of molecular techniques, particularly omics approaches, will gain insights into the results of MPs and NPs on composition and activity of microorganism communities inhabiting the soil and into those living on MP surface and within the gut of the soil plastic-ingesting fauna.
Widely used in Brazilian agricultural fields, the insecticide fipronil acts in the arthropods’ nervous system of target and non-target organisms. The present study aimed to estimate fipronil ecological risk to soil organisms, on both natural and artificial soils from tropical environments. For risk calculations, a tiered approach was used. At the screening level (TIER I) data was obtained from the literature and laboratory experiments. For the intermediate level (TIER II), species sensitivity distributions (SSD) curves were generated based on the results from six species of soil invertebrates in both soils. To estimate the risk, the Toxicity-Exposure Ratios (TER) were calculated considering the related toxicity data and the fipronil concentrations in the field. Results showed that ecologically relevant concentrations of fipronil lead to a high risk for the edaphic community (above 100 times higher than the safety value). The high risks were observed for both tiers, although more accentuated risk values were obtained using the SSD approach. Hence, it was also discussed here that the mode of action is the factor most influencing the pesticides’ toxicity to non-target organisms and using only one group of organisms to assess the risk of any pesticide may underestimate the risk to the whole community.
Introducción a la biología y microbiología de suelos presenta una revisión bibliográfica sobre los organismos presentes en los suelos, su rol en la salud y fertilidad del recurso y su esencialidad para la mayoría de los servicios ecosistémicos que hacen posible la vida en la Tierra. Inicialmente, se muestra una visión histórica de la biología y microbiología de suelos, seguida de un reconocimiento del suelo como hábitat, las comunidades que lo conforman y los roles que estas cumplen. Se hace especial énfasis en la microbiota y sus relaciones simbióticas que actúan directamente en los ciclos biogeoquímicos. Por último, se presentan conceptos biológicos en la sostenibilidad del suelo que incluyen los bioindicadores de calidad, las interacciones microbianas y su papel en los agroecosistemas, la regulación climática y las estrategias de conservación para la promoción de la biodiversidad del recurso con énfasis en el trópico seco. A través de este texto se busca contribuir a la concientización sobre la importancia de la biodiversidad del suelo y destacar su papel en la búsqueda de soluciones a las amenazas globales que supone el cambio climático y otras problemáticas actuales, en el marco de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) y los acuerdos multilaterales sobre el medio ambiente (AMUMA).
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