Climate Change Threatens Vital Soil Biodiversity | Impact on Soil-Dwelling Species

Soil-dwelling creatures are crucial for Earth's carbon cycle. Thousands of species, like mites and springtails, live in soil worldwide and play a vital role in enriching it. They consume organic matter such as fallen leaves and wood, transferring carbon into the ground and releasing nutrients that help new plants grow.

• Life Above and Below the Soil

  

  A recent analysis of 38 studies shows that droughts, often worsened by climate change, are killing these organisms at an alarming rate. Ina Schaefer, a researcher at the University of Göttingen in Germany, emphasizes the importance of protecting these critters because we know so little about them.

  Some of these organisms live deep in the soil, while others move around on the surface. Scientists are still learning how they break down decaying matter, with recent molecular research showing springtails have special genes for this job. Springtails can even fling themselves into the air to escape predators.

• Impact of Moisture and Heat

  

  Mites and springtails are not widely studied, but we know they are sensitive to moisture. During dry spells, their populations can shrink by 39%, and severe conditions can reduce their numbers even more, says Philip Martin from the Basque Center for Climate Change. Springtail populations also decline with rising temperatures, dropping nearly 10% for each degree Celsius increase.

  While droughts also affect soil fungi, which springtails feed on, some soil dwellers have adaptive advantages. Mites generally handle heat better than springtails, and some springtail species are more resilient to heat and dryness. These creatures may move deeper into the soil or seek moist spots, and some will adjust their diets.

  The effects of climate change vary globally. Different regions will experience changes differently, affecting soil communities uniquely, explains Zoë Lindo, a soil biodiversity expert at the University of Western Ontario. Some areas may see more droughts, while others will get more rainfall.

• Biodiversity Under Threat

  There are over 12,000 species of oribatid mites and around 9,000 species of springtails, but these numbers might only represent 20% of their global diversity. More than half of Earth's biodiversity is below our feet, including bacteria, fungi, and worms. However, we lack data for many regions, making it hard to predict the impact of losing these species.

  Soil has long been a "black box," but researchers are starting to uncover its mysteries. Understanding the role of each species is crucial for protecting our ecosystems in the face of climate change.