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The role of microbial turnover of soil organic matter (SOM) is central in the Earth’s carbon (C) cycle. However, its fundamental mechanism is not entirely understood. The EU-funded SomSOM project will investigate from the perspective of complex systems science. According to the complex systems theory, interactions between individuals at the micro level can lead to ‘self-organisation’ at the macro level. The system acquires new qualities that do not derive from the characteristics of the interacting individuals. However, if microbial decomposer systems are self-organised, they may present different behaviour than that expected under changing environmental circumstances. The project will investigate if the microbial decomposition of organic matter is conducted by self-organisation and what impact this has on soil C and nitrogen cycling.

Soil biodiversity and associated ecosystem services may result in crop production and quality increases. EU policies encourage management practices and production systems that ensure agricultural stability, resilience and growth. The EU-funded SoildiverAgro project aims to propose new practices increasing quality and production of crops while reducing external inputs. SoildiverAgro will be deployed in nine European regions using advanced management practices based on mycorrhiza and plant growth promoting bacteria, appropriate management of soil organisms, suitable crop rotations and intercropping, pest alert systems, nutrient catch crops, trap crops for pest control, by-products as soil ameliorants and adequate tillage systems. Project outcomes will be evaluated for soil biodiversity, ecosystems services delivery, and environmental, social and economic impact of crop management.

In an effort to better understand the role of soil microbial communities, it is important to analyse the factors shaping those highly complex systems as well as the ecological and genetic mechanisms contributing to their stability. The EU-funded SoilResist project aims to unveil the mechanisms that underpin the resistance and resilience of soil microbial communities and study how the communities react to natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Within this scope, the project will identity critical thresholds for abrupt transitions of microbial communities to alternative states and their consequences for soil functioning. The aim is to prove the hypothesis that the stability of microbial functions when faced with disturbances caused by climate extremes is determined by microbial functional diversity.

Societies depend on soil. Fertile and productive soil is the foundation of our existence and the prerequisite for a stable supply of food, fibre, animal feed, timber and other biomasses. Soil sustains biodiversity and contributes to the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services, and as the largest store of carbon on land, it is also in the nexus of global climate challenges. Soil is part of the solution to realising the SDGs. The threat of global warming makes climate-smart sustainable agricultural soil management crucial. The EU-funded EJP SOIL project will create an enabling environment to enhance the contribution of agricultural soils to key societal challenges such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable agricultural production, ecosystem services provision as well as prevention and restoration of land and soil degradation. The project brings together a group of 26 leading European research institutes and universities in 24 countries. More information is available at www.ejpsoil.org.

Unsustainable management and climate change are increasing land degradation and threatening soil biodiversity. Urgent action is thus required to mainstream sustainable soil management practices. However, major knowledge gaps related to biodiversity and soil-mediated ecosystem services must be addressed. The EU-funded SOILGUARD project will therefore develop a conceptual and analytical framework with the potential to become the global standard for future assessments of soil biodiversity status. All knowledge will be shared through SOILGUARDIANS, a predictive tool based on the links between soil biodiversity, soil multifunctionality and wellbeing to support stakeholders in their transition to sustainable management. SOILGUARD will co-create evidence-based conservation recommendations for policies and frameworks at the EU and international level and support Member States commitments under the Global Soil Partnership.