A recent study has for the first time assessed the extinction risk of soil-dependent organisms and found that nearly 40% are either threatened or lack sufficient data for evaluation, underscoring the urgent need to better understand these crucial species.
- 40% of soil-dependent species are threatened or data deficient
- Soil species play key roles in ecosystems and climate regulation
- Experts call for a dedicated task force to improve species assessments
What happened
Researchers have conducted the first comprehensive evaluation of animals, invertebrates, and fungi that depend on soil environments for at least part of their life cycle. This study included over 8,600 species listed by the IUCN that live predominantly within soil or the soil-litter interface. Excluding plants, which are almost entirely soil-dependent, the team found more than 20% of these species are threatened with extinction and another 20% lack enough data to assess their risk.
Several species, including various hopping mice in Australia and New Zealand’s Schmarda’s worm, have already been classified as extinct, often due to invasive species and habitat degradation. Despite these alarming numbers, thousands of soil-dependent species have not yet been evaluated for risk, making it difficult to fully understand the scope of their conservation status.
Why it feels good
This pioneering study brings much-needed attention to the largely ignored world of soil biodiversity, reminding us that soil hosts a majority of life on Earth and underpins essential ecological processes like nutrient cycling and climate regulation. Recognizing the threats soil species face is a vital step toward protecting these hidden contributors to planetary health.
By highlighting both the species at risk and those poorly understood, the research paves the way for more focused conservation actions and increased scientific collaboration. It increases public and scientific awareness of soil fauna and fungi, groups often overlooked despite their crucial roles in ecosystem services that benefit us all.
What to enjoy or watch next
To build on this important work, experts recommend forming an IUCN Species Survival Commission Soil Biota Task Force to unite specialists studying soil organisms. This coordinated effort can close knowledge gaps and link soil biodiversity conservation with global networks such as the U.N.’s International Network on Soil Biodiversity, enhancing strategies to protect these species.
Readers interested in the fascinating and vital world beneath our feet might explore documentaries, scientific talks, or online resources about soil ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Supporting organizations focused on environmental protection and soil health also helps maintain the balance these species sustain, reinforcing a healthier planet for future generations.