Why is soil biodiversity so important in keeping soil healthy?

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Why is soil biodiversity so important in keeping soil healthy?
by Sumit Chowdhury \| 09-12-2018 03:10 1
Although most of the world's biodiversity is below ground, surprisingly little is known about how it affects ecosystems or how it will be affected by climate change. A new study demonstrates that soil bacteria and the richness of animal species below ground play a key role in regulating a whole suite of ecosystem functions on Earth. Ecosystem functions such as carbon storage and the availability of nutrients are linked to the bugs, bacteria and other microscopic organisms that occur in the soil. In fact, as much as 32% of the variation seen in ecosystem functions can be explained by the biodiversity in the soil. In comparison, plant biodiversity accounts for 42%. Biodiversity below ground is neither very visible nor very cute, but pick up a handful of soil and you might find more species there than all of the vertebrates on the planet. We need to turn our attention towards these organisms, if we are to better understand the ecosystems we depend on for a range of functions Ecosystems have multiple functions which are all important. They store carbon in soil and biomass which has massive implications for climate change, but they also hold back and release various nutrients which have effects on natural areas as well as agricultural yield. Therefore, we need to be concerned with the multiple functions of ecosystems, what controls them and how this might change with climate change.

Dormant user Sumit Chowdhury

8 Comments

Joon Ho Mentor says :
In addition, there was a system crash concerning some vocab in my feedback. Please be advised not to use 'right', 'now', 'where' in the report or feedback to other regional ambassador!

Sorry for the delay to find out my fault as a system crash, quite a lot of days passed to add my feedback on your report.

I will keep this in mind, Sumit :)
Posted 17-12-2018 09:08

Joon Ho Mentor says :
Hello Sumit, as other regional ambassadors said in his report, soil types are so diverse that we cannot just discern them or understand it up to perfection. Likewise, complicated forms and integration of biodiversity come from these soil types and their mechanisms, so I think this is why all the regions in the same country or territory have different characteristics ans so on :)

Such a good report to think about soil itself!

Thanks for your report
Posted 17-12-2018 09:06

Elizaveta Zaretskaya says :
Thanks!
Posted 16-12-2018 15:46

Kushal Naharki

Kushal Naharki says :
Definately, Soil biodiversity is very much important in keeping the soil healthy.
Thank you for the report @Sumit
Posted 14-12-2018 00:05

Gyeongrin mentor says :
Hello Sumit!

Biodiversity is a quite interesting topic to me. Biodiversity is a significant factor but we cannot feel it by skin. We may not notice the benefit which biodiversity gives. As you say the biodiversity below ground which is not that visible and not that cute was super attractive. Micro-organisms under ground preserve fertility of soil. And these are doiing an important job! We need more attention to the snippety creeatures:)

Thank you for your report!
Posted 12-12-2018 15:25

Israel Adeoye says :
Sumit,

I believe you are good.

Yes, the importance and functions of micro-organisms in the soil is beyond our current knowledge about them and to know more, we have to explore the world of biodiversity.

Soil microbes really play a very vital role is balancing and conserving ecosystem, an important activity for man survival.

Thanks for your report.
Posted 11-12-2018 17:27

Deepak Subedi says :
Hello Sumit, Namaste
Topee you are fit.fine and healthy
My Best friend name is also Sumit

Talking about Biodiversity, it is most important aspect in soil, without these organism,soil wouldn't be such fertile or may have very low production capacity,
Nitrogen fixing bacteria, like nitromans aeromonas play very important in proving nitrogen to plants
Earthworms and other arthropods help to increase the fertility of soil,
Every member of ecosystem have their own but important role :)

Thank you for the report.

Posted 09-12-2018 13:44

Rosa Domingos says :
Hey there Sumit!

The species variation in soil way surpasses that of the micro and macro vertebrae, and they hold a great function maintaining the status quo of soil. Infact, soil structure owes its state due to the aid of bateria, nano organisms etc. And I completely concur with you when you say that they hold a relation to climate change, especially when we look at the carbon storage function and with how bacteria aids with nitrification for plant growth.

A greater focus needs to be awarded in this regard.

I really enjoyed reading your report, it was simplictic yet knowledge-full!

Sincerely yours
R.
Posted 09-12-2018 04:02