First Global Assessment Finds Over 20% of Soil-Dependent Species Threatened
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Researchers have conducted the first assessment of extinction risk for animals, invertebrates, and fungi that depend on soil, a habitat hosting nearly 60% of Earth's life. Of the 8,653 species analyzed, more than 20% are threatened, and another 20% lack sufficient data for a status determination. The findings highlight a significant, previously unquantified vulnerability in species essential for ecosystem functions.
Facts First
- First-ever extinction risk assessment for soil-dependent animals, invertebrates, and fungi.
- Soil hosts nearly 60% of life on Earth and species dependent on it are essential for ecosystem services.
- More than 20% of the 8,653 analyzed species are listed as threatened with extinction.
- Another 20% of species are classified as data deficient, indicating insufficient information.
- 35 soil-dependent species are already classified as extinct.
What Happened
Researchers have completed the first global assessment of extinction risk for species that depend on soil. They established a working definition for 'soil-dependent' species as those that spend a key part of their life cycle within a soil profile or predominantly inhabit the soil-litter interface. Applying this definition to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, they identified 8,653 qualifying species, including terrestrial vertebrates, invertebrates like arthropods and mollusks, and fungi. Plants were excluded from the analysis. Of these species, more than 20% are listed as threatened with extinction, and another 20% are classified as data deficient due to insufficient information. Approximately 40% of the studied species are either threatened or data deficient. Thirty-five soil-dependent species are already classified as extinct.
Why this Matters to You
Soil-dependent species are essential for biogeochemical cycles, climate regulation, and other ecosystem services that underpin food production, clean water, and a stable climate. The high proportion of threatened and poorly understood species suggests these critical, unseen functions may be at risk. This could potentially affect the long-term health and productivity of the landscapes and agricultural systems you depend on.
What's Next
The assessment establishes a baseline for understanding soil biodiversity loss. The large number of data-deficient species highlights a critical gap in knowledge that future research will likely need to address to inform conservation efforts. This foundational work may lead to more targeted conservation strategies for soil ecosystems.