Agricultural Biodiversity Agricultural Biodiversity About Agricultural Biodiversity What is Agricultural Biodiversity? Why is it Important?What's the Problem?What Needs to be Done? Programme Background COP DecisionsProgramme of WorkCross-cutting Initiatives Pollinators Food and NutritionSoil biodiversity Key issues BackgroundPlan of ActionPartners & InitiativesEvents Genetic Use Restriction Implementation Current Activities Resources and ToolsNational ReportsInternational TreatyCollaboration Related Information Meetings DocumentsRelated Web SitesNotificationsResponses to NotificationsBiofuels and BiodiversityUN Food Systems Summit 2021 GBO-5 Agriculture Highlights Agricultural Biodiversity // Key issues Wednesday // 5.30.2007 Key issues This cross-cutting initiative addresses the multiple links between biodiversity and soil. Soil biodiversity contribute to ecosystems services Many thousands species of animals and micro-organisms live in soils, ranging in size from the almost invisible microbiota (e.g. bacteria, fungi and protozoa) to the more conspicuous macrofauna and megafauna (e.g. earthworms, termites, millipedes, moles and rats). The activities of this wide range of soil biota contribute to many critical ecosystem services. These services include: Soil formationOrganic matter decomposition, and thereby nutrient availability and carbon (C) sequestration, and conversely greenhouse gas emissionsNitrogen (N2) fixation and plant nutrient uptakeSuppression or induction of plant diseases and pestsBioremediation of degraded and contaminated soils, through detoxification of contaminants and restoration of soil physical, chemical and biological properties and processes The effects of soil organisms also influence water infiltration and runoff and moisture retention through effects on soil structure and composition and indirectly on plant growth and soil cover. These services are critical to the functioning of natural ecosystems and constitute an important resource for sustainable agricultural production.
Agricultural Biodiversity // Key issues Wednesday // 5.30.2007 Key issues This cross-cutting initiative addresses the multiple links between biodiversity and soil. Soil biodiversity contribute to ecosystems services Many thousands species of animals and micro-organisms live in soils, ranging in size from the almost invisible microbiota (e.g. bacteria, fungi and protozoa) to the more conspicuous macrofauna and megafauna (e.g. earthworms, termites, millipedes, moles and rats). The activities of this wide range of soil biota contribute to many critical ecosystem services. These services include: Soil formationOrganic matter decomposition, and thereby nutrient availability and carbon (C) sequestration, and conversely greenhouse gas emissionsNitrogen (N2) fixation and plant nutrient uptakeSuppression or induction of plant diseases and pestsBioremediation of degraded and contaminated soils, through detoxification of contaminants and restoration of soil physical, chemical and biological properties and processes The effects of soil organisms also influence water infiltration and runoff and moisture retention through effects on soil structure and composition and indirectly on plant growth and soil cover. These services are critical to the functioning of natural ecosystems and constitute an important resource for sustainable agricultural production.
