Unveiling and Understanding the Soil Biota

Soil biota encompasses a diverse array of lifeforms, including algae, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa, arthropods, earthworms, and small mammals, which play fundamental roles in maintaining soil health, fertility, and ecosystem functioning. Soil biodiversity provides critical ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, soil formation, water filtration, carbon sequestration, and pest regulation. Thus, it is imperative to explore each level of soil biodiversity to have a better understanding regarding their niches. However, soil biodiversity is under severe threats from anthropogenic activities like pollution and intensive agriculture. Conservation efforts are vital for protecting soil biodiversity and ensuring sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental resilience, as discussed in this chapter.