Biodiversity in mountain soils above the treeline

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Soil Science
• Biodiversity Research

Background:

• Mountain ecosystems harbor unique biodiversity, with increasing research on soil organisms above the treeline.
• A comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on mountain soil biodiversity has been lacking.
• This study addresses the need for a global overview of cryptogam, microorganism, and fauna diversity in mountain soils.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct the first global analysis and synthesis of published research on mountain soil biodiversity above the treeline.
• To summarize knowledge on the diversity, distribution patterns, and drivers of mountain soil organisms along elevation gradients.
• To identify research hotspots, knowledge gaps, and future research opportunities in mountain soil biodiversity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a corpus of nearly 1400 publications on mountain soil organisms.
• Expert consultation with 37 international mountain soil scientists.
• Application of rule- and pattern-based literature-mining and semi-quantitative analyses.

Main Results:

• Elevation significantly shapes biodiversity patterns: fauna diversity decreases, while cryptogam diversity initially increases then decreases with elevation above the treeline.
• Prokaryote diversity responses to elevation were varied; fungal diversity was influenced by plant presence.
• Research hotspots were identified in the European Alps and Central Asia, with significant taxonomic gaps noted for biocrusts, protists, and fauna.

Conclusions:

• Elevation is a key factor structuring mountain soil biodiversity, with distinct patterns for different organismal groups.
• Significant knowledge gaps exist, particularly concerning uncultivated microorganisms and soil fauna, necessitating targeted research.
• Addressing these gaps is crucial for informed decision-making and conservation of mountain soil biodiversity and its critical ecosystem functions.