Chapter 8: Conclusions
The Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas is the first global overview of soil biodiversity. The Atlas was made possible through the efforts of the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative and the European Commission Joint Research Centre. More than 150 scientists from 26 countries worked for 3 years to bring together the latest scientific knowledge! Key findings from the Atlas:
The planet's terrestrial ecosystems have a diversity of soil life, largely due to the variety of their soil habitats.
Soil biodiversity is critical for human health: for plant growth and support, water and climate regulation, and erosion and disease control.
Soil biodiversity is increasingly under threat, which results in changes in the composition of soil communities and loss of species, as well as the benefits they provide to all life.
There is a need to celebrate these new discoveries about the life under our feet, as well as to integrate knowledge about soil biodiversity into international policies.
Soil biodiversity is a common ground for achieving sustainability goals. Management and conservation of life in the soil is integral to governmental actions to provide healthy food, reduce greenhouse gases, lessen desertification and soil erosion, and prevent disease.
The tremendous advances in knowledge of soil biodiversity in recent years is only the beginning. Learn more about emerging work to learn how soil biodiversity can support our communities, our planet, and our future.
Learn more about the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative and join.
Learn more about the European Commission Joint Research Centre soil research.
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