Soil biodiversity effects on ecosystems – Nature

Report on Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

Soil biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, plant productivity, climate regulation, and pathogen control. These functions have significant impacts on animal, human, and plant health. This report highlights recent progress in understanding soil biodiversity’s role in ecosystems, methodological advances, and emerging research questions, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Roles of Soil Biodiversity in Ecosystem Functioning

1. Nutrient Cycling: Soil biodiversity drives the recycling of nutrients essential for plant growth, supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
2. Organic Matter Decomposition: Soil organisms decompose organic matter, contributing to soil fertility and carbon sequestration, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15.
3. Plant Productivity: Healthy soil biodiversity enhances plant growth and productivity, supporting sustainable agriculture and food security (SDG 2).
4. Climate Regulation: Soil biodiversity influences greenhouse gas fluxes and climate regulation, directly contributing to SDG 13.
5. Pathogen Control: Soil organisms help control pathogens, promoting ecosystem health and human well-being (SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being).

Advancements and Methodological Approaches

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in understanding the spatiotemporal patterns and community dynamics of soil organisms. Advances include:

• Integration of molecular techniques such as DNA metabarcoding and metagenomics to enumerate soil biodiversity.
• Development of energy flux models linking multitrophic biodiversity to ecosystem functioning.
• Use of stable isotope probing and compound-specific isotope analysis to trace nutrient flows.
• Application of machine learning and computational technologies to analyze soil microbial communities.
• Implementation of global collaborative networks and databases to monitor soil biodiversity.

These methodological advances support SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering innovation in environmental research.

Emerging Research Questions and Knowledge Gaps

Despite advances, several critical knowledge gaps remain:

• Climate Feedback Effects of Soils: Understanding how soil biodiversity influences climate feedback mechanisms is essential for effective climate action (SDG 13).
• Ecology of Urban Soils: Urban soil biodiversity and its role in ecosystem services require further study to promote sustainable cities (SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Development of Soil Health Indicators: Reliable indicators are needed to assess soil health and guide sustainable land management (SDG 15).

Global Collaborative Efforts and Data Integration

Addressing the above challenges necessitates:

• Establishment of global collaborative networks linking existing soil biodiversity databases.
• Standardized monitoring of soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across spatial and temporal scales.
• Promotion of interdisciplinary research integrating ecology, climate science, and socio-economic perspectives.

These efforts align with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasizing the importance of global cooperation for sustainable development.

Connecting Soil Biodiversity to Ecosystem Services and Planetary Sustainability

Understanding the relationships between soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning enables linking small-scale interactions among plants, microorganisms, and animals to broader ecosystem services. This connection is vital for achieving multiple SDGs, including:

• SDG 2: Ensuring food security through enhanced plant productivity.
• SDG 3: Promoting health by controlling soil-borne pathogens.
• SDG 13: Mitigating climate change via soil carbon storage and greenhouse gas regulation.
• SDG 15: Conserving terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

Conclusion

Soil biodiversity is integral to ecosystem health and sustainability, directly supporting several Sustainable Development Goals. Continued research, innovation, and global collaboration are essential to fill knowledge gaps and harness soil biodiversity for ecosystem services and planetary sustainability.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses soil biodiversity as a driver of plant productivity and nutrient cycling, which are essential for sustainable agriculture and food security.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Soil biodiversity influences pathogen control and has subsequent effects on animal, human, and plant health.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article highlights the role of soil biodiversity in climate regulation and discusses climate feedback effects of soils.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Focus on soil biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and ecosystem services aligns with the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article mentions the ecology of urban soils and the importance of soil biodiversity in urban greenspaces.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, help maintain ecosystems, and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods.
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards Identified Targets

1. Soil Biodiversity Indicators
   • Monitoring soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning through global collaborative networks and linking existing databases.
   • Development of soil health indicators as mentioned in the article.
2. Plant Productivity and Nutrient Cycling
   • Indicators related to nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition rates.
   • Measures of plant productivity influenced by soil biodiversity.
3. Climate Regulation Metrics
   • Indicators measuring soil carbon storage and greenhouse gas fluxes (e.g., CO2, N2O emissions).
   • Climate feedback effects of soils, such as soil respiration and methane consumption rates.
4. Urban Soil Ecology Indicators
   • Indicators assessing soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions in urban greenspaces.
   • Measures of pathogen prevalence and antimicrobial resistance in urban soils.
5. Data and Methodological Advances
   • Use of DNA metabarcoding, metagenomics, and stable isotope analysis as implied tools for measuring biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
   • Energy flux estimation in soil food webs as a functional indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators from the Article Analysis

Source: nature.com