Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Soil biodiversity plays a pivotal role in multiple ecosystem services. However, the precise contributions of soil organisms—both individually and in interaction—across different regions and land uses remain largely unknown. This knowledge gap limits our ability to predict how soil biodiversity influences human well-being and ecosystem sustainability. Understanding the relationships between soil organisms and ecosystem service provision across diverse land uses is essential. In this context, it is crucial to shift our perspective and recognize soil biodiversity not only as a key component of soil health but also as an investment opportunity for high-quality ecosystem services, such as healthy food production, clean water and air, climate regulation, and suitable habitats for human well-being.

The goal of this special issue is to explore the interconnections between soil organisms (including viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, nematodes, microarthropods, earthworms, isopods, millipedes, insects, and spiders) and the delivery of multiple ecosystem services at different scales. Additionally, it seeks to identify the pressures and drivers associated with different land uses and climate change. This special issue aims to advance knowledge, methodologies, indicators, and tools that highlight the direct and indirect contributions of soil organisms to ecosystem services. Identifying climate-resilient management practices suited to diverse environments and land uses will be essential for maintaining and enhancing the ecosystem services supported by soil biodiversity.

We welcome manuscript submissions that provide new insights into the relationships between soil organisms and ecosystem service delivery across different scales and land-use types.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Review

Keywords: microorganisms, fauna, taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, abundance, biomass, activity, functions, ecosystem services