What is soil biodiversity?
Millions of microbial and animal species live and make up soils, from bacteria and fungi to mites, beetles and earthworms. Soil biodiversity is the total community from genes to species, and varies depending on the environment. The immense diversity in soil allows for a great variety of ecosystem services that benefit the species that inhabit it, the species (including us) that use it, and its surrounding environment.
Soil biodiversity…
... promotes systems biodiversity
...regulates climate
...supports sustainable food production
...controls erosion
...encourages elemental cycling
...cleans and stores freshwater
...builds and supports habitat
...provides population control
...facilitates biotechnology
...plays a role in recreation