Soil Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
By Mairi-Jo Musgrave, Soil Biodiversity Science Communicator, Saint Mary’s University
When you think of biodiversity you probably think of our forests and our oceans. But did you know that 25% of the world’s biodiversity is found below our feet, in the soil? From single cell bacteria to earthworms, the abundance of life below our feet is vital to the survival of our ecosystems.
In 2015, the United Nations developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals as the backbone of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. These goals focus on the development of the environment and the economy to meet our own needs while ensuring future generations can also meet their needs. Soil biodiversity is intrinsically linked to at least three of these goals: zero hunger, life on land, and climate action. Unfortunately, soil biodiversity has largely been left out of the conversations surrounding these goals worldwide.
Zero Hunger
It likely doesn’t surprise you that good soil health is crucial for food production. While the focus has often been on availability of soil nutrients, life in soil plays an important role in feeding our ever growing populations. For example, some fungi, known as mycorrhizal fungi, help plants acquire nutrients from the soil, protecting them from pests and providing soil structure. Additionally, earthworms moving through soil creates tunnels that serve to improve the structure of soil in agricultural fields, helping prevent compaction which can impede the flow of water through soil. These are just a couple of examples of what soil biodiversity does for food production, but in reality there is a complex system of species and functions that is not yet fully understood by scientists.
Life on Land
Though it may seem as though the importance of soil biodiversity is relevant only to the soil, this is not the case, this is not the case. As previously stated, soil life is essential for the growth of crops as well as other plants. Plants are the basis of the food web for above-ground species, acting as a primary producer of energy. Not only that, but some below-ground species act as a primary food source for above-ground species such as mammals and birds. Though it may seem like life above-ground exists separately from life below-ground, the two are intricately connected and rely on one another for their survival.
Climate Action
It is widely known that the emission of carbon into the atmosphere by humans has caused a change in our global climate systems. However, the problem does not come from the carbon itself but rather the large amount we emit, as our planet has a natural carbon cycle. One of the most important sinks, or repositories, for carbon is soil. A whopping 75% of carbon found on land is stored in soil. The carbon in soil comes in the form of organic matter, and can be released into the atmosphere through respiration by plants and microbes. Life in soil acts as a control for the release of carbon into the atmosphere and therefore needs to be monitored and protected.
I have given you only a small glimpse into the functions of soil biodiversity and the important roles it plays in our environment and health. If you would like to learn more about the services soil biodiversity provides for us and our planet, please check out the links below.
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/7/2662
https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/atlas-introduction
