soils & biodiversitysoil biodiversity and agriculture protozoa bacteria fungi mycorrhizal and...
TRANSCRIPT
fao.org/soils-2015
©FAO - April 2015
& BIODIVERSITY& BIODIVERSITYSOILSSOILS
#IYS2015
When these diverse soil organisms interact with one another and withthe plants and animals in the ecosystem, they form a complex web of ecological activity.
Soil is one of nature’s most complex ecosystems: it contains a myriad of organismswhich interact and contribute to the global cycles that make all life possible.
SOIL BIODIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURE
ProtozoaBacteria
FungiMycorrhizal
and saprophytic
NematodesRoot-feeders
ArthropodsPredators
NematodesPredators
Organic MatterWaste, residue and
metabolites from plants,animals and microbes
PlantsShoots and roots Birds
Animals
ArthropodsShredders
NematodesFungal and bacterial
feeders
ProtozoaAmoebe, flagellates
and ciliates
Firsttrophic level
Photosynthesizers
Secondtrophic level
Decomposers, mutualists,pathogens, parasites,
root-feeders
Thirdtrophic level
Shredders, predators,grazers
Fourthtrophic levelHigher levelpredators
Fifth and highertrophic levels
Higher levelpredators
Over 1000 species of invertebrates
may be found in 1 m² of forest soils.
A typical healthy soil might contain:
SOILS HOST A QUARTEROF OUR PLANET’S BIODIVERSITY
hundredsof species of fungi
thousands of speciesof bacteria & actinomycetes
nematodes 20-30 species of mites
earth worms
50-100 species of insects
Regulation of soilhydrological processes
Maintenanceof soil structure
Gas exchanges andcarbon sequestration
co2
o2
THE SOIL FOOD WEB
Suppression of pests, parasites and diseases
Decompositionof organic matter
Soil detoxification
Nutrient cycling
Symbiotic and asymbiotic relationships with plants and their roots
Plant growth control
Sources of foodand medicines
Agricultural systems and agro-ecological practices such as:agroecology, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, organicfarming and zero-tillage can sustainably increase farm
productivity without degrading the soil and water resources.
The overuse or misuse of agro-chemicalshas resulted in environmental degradation,
particularly of soil and water resources.
Clearing forested land or grasslandfor cultivation a�ects the soil environment
and drastically reduces the numberand species of soil organisms.
Soil organisms are responsible for performing vital functions in the soil ecosystem:
Biodiversity is essential for food security and nutrition.
vertebrate animals