A new study reveals that soils are the most species-rich ecosystems globally, housing two-thirds of all species. This is over double that of previous estimates.
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Species
Fungi dominate soil biodiversity at 90%, followed by plants and their roots at 86%, and earthworms and mollusks at 20%.
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Smaller organisms
The diversity of smaller organisms like bacteria, viruses, archaea, and unicellular organisms, is yet to be estimated.
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Soil degradation
Soils face immense pressure from agricultural intensification, climate change, and invasive species, warns the study's lead author Mark Anthony.
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Conservation efforts
The study underscores the importance of soil diversity and calls for greater conservation efforts amid increasing global soil degradation.