BioServicES: Linking Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions and Services in Different Land Uses

Background and Objective

There is evidence for the pivotal role of soil biodiversity in multiple ecosystem functions (EF) and ecosystem services (ES). However, the precise contribution that soil organisms play alone and in interaction in regulating multiple ecosystem functions and services (EFS), in different biogeographic regions and land uses, remains largely unknown. This fact limits our ability to predict how soil biodiversity can affect human wellbeing and ecosystems sustainability. EF refer to natural-biological processes, while ES refer to those ecosystem flows that contribute to human well-being. Thus, the EF are the ecological processes that result in the supply of ES. There is a need to understand the relationships between soil organisms and the provision of EFS in multiple land uses. In this sense, it is essential to change the way soil biodiversity is understood as a key integrant of soil health, and start considering it as an investment opportunity for high-quality services (i.e. healthy products, clean water and air, climate regulation and adequate habitats for human wellbeing).

The BIOservicES experimental approach will allow to identify general ecological patterns related to the distribution, abundance, diversity, interrelations and functioning of soil organisms when supporting the provision of multiple EFS, and their conservation and consideration by current policies.

Approach

BIOservicES will perform an observational study focused on three management intensities in 25 lighthouses (LHs) with eight different land uses (field scale), and the integration of all land uses within a region (landscape scale). The 25 LHs will act as hubs for co-creation, co-design and co-learning (multi-actor approach, responsible research and innovation (RRI) and open science). They are located in five biogeographical regions (Alpine (Switzerland), Atlantic (Spain), Boreal (Latvia), Continental (Germany) and Mediterranean (Spain)) with eight different land uses (urban, industrial, agricultural, forestry, mining, (semi)-natural, wetland and dryland), covering 95% of the EU surface. Following the definitions given by the Implementation Plan for the Soil Mission (Horizon Europe), we consider a LH as a venue for demonstrating long-term solutions, that are exemplary in their performance to improve soil health for a specific land use.

Our Research Questions

BIOservicES main research questions are:

1. Which are the key organisms mostly related to the provision of ES and, therefore, to be prioritized in conservation, restoration and management programmes?
2. Is land use intensity and soil structure affecting the ability of soil organisms to provide multiple EFS and adapt to climate change?
3. Can we maintain and restore soil health and resilience to climate change by developing incentive tools based on the economic valuation of the ES in which soil organisms are involved?

Links and Downloads

http://bioservices-project.eu/