Groundwork for the Future: How Sustainable Practices Fortify Soil Ecosystems

Sustainable land use practices offer a significant advantage over intensive land use when it comes to managing underground herbivores and soil microorganisms. Researchers from the University of Leipzig, the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle-Jena-Leipzig (iDiv), and other leading institutions have demonstrated that these practices promote a more resilient soil ecosystem, better equipped to withstand disturbances.

The study, recently published in Global Change Biology, highlights that sustainable land management supports stability in energy flows and maintains the activities of key players in the soil food web, including decomposers, herbivores, and predators. This balanced dynamic ensures the soil ecosystem remains functional and productive, even under challenging conditions.

The research, conducted using the advanced experimental setup of the Global Change Experimental Facility at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), further demonstrated that this regulation persists even under projected future climate conditions. This highlights the adaptability of sustainable land use practices to a changing climate, providing a robust framework for preserving soil health over time.

An added benefit of sustainable land use is the enhanced control of herbivores by their natural antagonists. This effect is particularly evident in sustainably managed arable and grassland areas, where the balance within the soil ecosystem is better maintained. The regulation of herbivore populations is crucial, as unchecked reproduction can severely impact plant growth and threaten overall productivity.

“Our results show the potential benefits of less intensive and more sustainable land management for the functioning of soil food webs – both today and in a changing climate,” explains Marie Sünnemann, the study’s first author from the Institute of Biology at Leipzig University and iDiv.

Effects of intensive and sustainable land use simulated in experiments

To better understand these impacts, researchers conducted a field experiment to investigate how intensive versus sustainable land use affects soil organism diversity in both arable and grassland areas. This comprehensive study also considered future climate change scenarios to assess the long-term implications of different land management strategies.

In their groundbreaking experiment, researchers explored how warming and summer drought affect soil organisms under both intensive and sustainable land use systems. The study encompassed a wide range of soil life, including microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, as well as nematodes, springtails, mites, and larger creatures such as beetles, spiders, millipedes, and centipedes.

“Our focus was on the energy cycles in the soil food web – the energy passed on from decomposers and herbivores to small predators,” explains Prof. Dr. Nico Eisenhauer, co-author and researcher at iDiv. This energy flow was used as a key indicator of how effectively the major groups of soil organisms—decomposers, microbe-eaters, herbivores, and predators—fulfill their roles within the ecosystem.

Cultivating Resilience: The Promise of Sustainable Land Use

This research illuminates a pivotal truth: sustainable land use practices hold the key to nurturing resilient soil ecosystems in the face of modern agricultural demands and a changing climate. By promoting stability in the soil food web, these practices ensure the balanced interplay of decomposers, herbivores, and predators—preserving energy flows and maintaining functionality even under challenging conditions.

The study’s experimental approach highlights the tangible benefits of transitioning from intensive to sustainable land use. By embracing these practices, we can cultivate not only the soil but also a sustainable future for generations to come.

Original Publication
Marie Sünnemann, Andrew D. Barnes, Angelos Amyntas, Marcel Ciobanu, Malte Jochum, Alfred Lochner, Anton M. Potapov, Thomas Reitz, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Martin Schädler, Anja Zeuner, Nico Eisenhauer
Journal: Global Change Biology
Article Title: Sustainable Land Use Strengthens Microbial and Herbivore Controls in Soil Food Webs in Current and Future Climates
Article Publication Date: 15-11-2024
DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.17554

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