Pathways for Assessment and Managing Soil Biodiversity

The decrease in soil biodiversity is commonly understood as a diminishing presence of life-forms within soils, both in terms of quantity and diversity. When there is a decline in soil biodiversity, it can markedly impact the soil’s capacity to operate effectively, respond to disruptions, and recover from disturbances. The complex characteristics of both soil and biodiversity create difficulties in establishing a clear and unequivocal link between environmental factors and soil organisms. Several threats are identified, and its mitigation is discussed. Here, we focus on some modern soil biodiversity assessment techniques which can be applicable in large-scale framework in studying the link of soil features and the living organisms present therein and its probable management strategies. The conventional methods of soil biodiversity estimation as well as modern techniques like metagenomics and mapping are discussed. Likewise, the conventional and modern technologies are discussed. Both chemical and organic amendments are essential for better soil biodiversity. Besides those, different cultural practices like crop rotation and intercropping also enhance the function of soil biodiversity. Given the growing acknowledgment of soil biodiversity, different approaches are suggested that could facilitate incorporating soils into future decision-making processes for environmental policy.