Future needs for soil biodiversity

There is major concern that relatively little is known about living creatures underground, their role, the population there, and importantly how they can be harnessed to ensure provision of many of the soil functions into the future. There has, for example, been no exhaustive census of the numbers and variety of organisms even in one natural habitat. This lack of knowledge brings with it a danger - that as we put the soil under more and more pressure to provide its many functions so we shall cause lasting damage to it through ignorance. We need to know much more about the life underground, particularly the abundant species and their role in the soil.

Until we know more about the organisms in the soil we are unable to assess the effect the removal of one or more species from the soil would have on the soil system being able to function. There is concern that we are pushing ahead with the genetic development of organisms without the support of an adequate knowledge base. Yet the potential of the harnessing of the soils organisms is there for all to see. Globally the economic value of the uses to which soil organisms can be in the biotechnological area is astronomical.

But how far can this, and should this, continue when the damage factor to the soil environment could be substantial? There is no doubt about the importance of biodiversity in soils. We need to recognise this as we view the need to feed the rapidly growing world population and to preserve as far as possible the environment. There needs to be a much better understanding of the role of biodiversity worldwide and, in particular, a growing understanding of the parts to be played by the huge variety of soil organisms in securing this future environment for the world population. A more ecologically-based approach to our soils needs to be understood by those who seek to use it intensively so that ecology and food production can move forward without conflict.