Soil biodiversity is essential for ecosystem functioning, supporting nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and primary productivity. In the last decade, the focus on soil biodiversity has increased, but linkages with ecosystem functioning remain scarce. By focusing on natural ecosystems, we can better understand ecological processes supporting ecosystem functioning and set a reference point for conservation efforts. In this session, we will discuss the latest findings on soil biodiversity in natural ecosystems and their functional roles.
We seek to showcase research that describes soil biodiversity, from microbes to macrofauna, in natural ecosystems such as grasslands and forests and explores potential linkages with ecosystem functioning. We also want to consider temporal dynamics and responses of soil biodiversity to global changes. We particularly encourage contributions from early-career researchers.