Soil biodiversity is emerging as an alternative solution to global challenges and not only in academic circles. Despite the substantial progresses made in spreading the knowledge about soil biodiversity and its functions, only around one percent of soil organisms have been identified so far, not to mention that soil biodiversity loss remains one of the main global threats in many regions of the world and could be greater than estimated due to the lack of data. How can we protect and preserve something we do not fully know? We must take advantage of this momentum and the interest and concern that exist about soil biodiversity loss, and implement sound policies and actions for the conservation, management, and sustainable use of our planet’s soils.

The International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) is a timely response by the international community to expand and improve knowledge about soil biodiversity. The NETSOB is open to scientists, researchers, international organizations, institutions, decision-makers, and any other relevant stakeholders with expertise in the assessment, mapping, monitoring, and sustainable use of soil biodiversity. All participants of the Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity (GSOBI21), organized by FAO in April 2021, and all existing initiatives on soil biodiversity are invited to get involved with the Network.

The overall goal of the NETSOB is to promote the sustainable use and conservation of soil biodiversity. To achieve this goal, the NETSOB:

• Provides the group of experts for the implementation/coordination of the GLOSOB;
• Provides reliable evidence to support better decision-making both in the field and at the policy level in sustainable use and conservation of soil biodiversity;
• Strengthens knowledge about soil biodiversity;
• Contributes to the development of internationally accepted biological indicators;
• Facilitates the monitoring of soil biodiversity status and loss;
• Spurs on action to increase the sustainable use of soil biodiversity and overall soil health;
• Contributes to the adoption of good practices that enhance availability and safety of food;
• Identifies knowledge gaps and fosters investment and cooperation in soil biodiversity research.

The NETSOB will address four main technical working group (WG):

• Working group-1 on measurement, assessment and monitoring of soil biodiversity;
• Working group-2 on sustainable use, management, and conservation of soil biodiversity;
• Working group-3 on the economics of soil biodiversity; and
• Working group-4 on policies and legal instruments related to soil biodiversity.

• NETSOB governance will be composed of the NETSOB board, as well as the GSP Secretariat as facilitator and coordinator of the process (see image below).
• Each working group will be composed of the Vice-Chair, its alternate Vice-Chair and the scientific committee (see image below).

• The NETSOB/GLOSOB work will be guided by the GSOBI21 Outcome Document and the Plan of Action of the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity.
• The NETSOB board will be appointed during the first meeting of the network and will run for two years against agreed terms of reference.

NETSOB's strategic partners: The Global Initiative of Crop Microbiome and Sustainable Agriculture, the Western University of Canada, and the European Commission

All interested stakeholders with expertise in the assessment, mapping, monitoring, and sustainable use of soil biodiversity are invited to join NETSOB. Once your Registration form has been processed, your organization will be indicated on the NETSOB’s interactive map (see below). All institutions/organizations will receive a certificate of registration when they register with NETSOB. Please note that there is no registration fee or any annual cost to join NETSOB.