Context
The FAO’s Status of the World’s Soil Resources 2026 report has identified loss of Soil Biodiversity as a major and worsening threat to soil functioning. Released at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the report highlights inadequate adoption of sustainable soil-management practices worldwide.
Explanation
- Soil biodiversity refers to the variety of organisms living below ground, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, nematodes, earthworms and arthropods.
- Soils contain about 59% of Earth’s biodiversity and support decomposition, nutrient cycling, carbon transformation, soil aggregation and disease regulation.
- FAO ranks biodiversity loss fourth among seven major soil threats, after soil erosion, loss of soil organic carbon and nutrient mismanagement.
- Habitat loss, particularly conversion of forests and grasslands into agriculture, is the greatest threat to soil organisms.
- Other pressures include intensive agriculture, pesticides, pollution, deforestation, urbanisation and climate change.
- Sustainable measures include maintaining optimal soil pH, using organic manure, adopting reduced/no-tillage and reducing pesticide use.
- Soil biodiversity is directly linked with SDG 15 – Life on Land.
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