Presently, soil specialists and agriculturalists are challenged to address a major global concern: 'how to provide greater food security for all nations on earth in a sustainable way'. Soil biodiversity contributes to many critical ecosystem services including soil formation, organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling and nitrogen fixation, the carbon cycle, biological pest control and bioremediation of degraded soils. However there has been limited and fragmented work to improve understanding of such services and, through improved management, to enhance their value in terms of economic, food security and environmental benefits. Therefore soil specialists are encouraged, with the support of FAO, to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to assess the role of soil biodiversity (SBD) in productive agroecosystems, focusing especially upon the need for integrated soil biological management as a means to maintain renewable soil fertility. This requires better understanding of soil-plant-water relationships, the interacting physical, chemical and biological dimensions, and the effects of different technologies and practices - all of which determine agricultural productivity.

Links with relevant programmes and actions

Various projects and initiatives concerning soil biodiversity, its assessment, identification, status and role in agricultural and other ecosystems (managed and natural) are presently being developed by both private and public agencies, universities, research organizations and consortia.

This provides an overview of who is doing what and should facilitate linkages to relevant work and institutions. Some of these are briefly described below, and the internet links, when available, are provided for further information.

1. Research and Technology Development

2. Soil Biodiversity Management and Sustainable Agriculture: Tools and methods for applied research and development

3. Information, Training and Education

4. Laboratories and Services 

Survey of Global Expertise on Soil Biodiversity

In summary, most survey respondents have backgrounds in ecology, soil science and zoology. Few having wider expertise in natural resources management, rural community development and plant pathology which would facilitate interaction with the farming community. Field work is currently predominated by work in temperate and tropical-subhumid environments, especially forests and grasslands. It is suggested that more field work should be encouraged in subtropical and arid zones and their agricultural systems. Research is ongoing on a wide array of organisms, soil processes and agricultural management practices with substantial work on organic matter. Less work has been reported on biological inputs i.e. inoculants, tillage, inorganic fertilisers, effects of pesticides and pH adjustments. An effort may be needed to identify and, as appropriate, encourage research and development to meet more directly farmer needs.

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