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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

A Lipid Extraction and Analysis Method for Characterizing Soil Microbes in Experiments with Many Samples
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Anthropogenic soil acidification severely decreases microbial diversity and functionality.

Xunzhuo Dong1, Yanzhong Yao1, Bingbing Han1

  • 1Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.

Current Biology : CB
|March 12, 2026
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Anthropogenic soil acidification harms soil microbes and function, especially in croplands. Reducing this human-caused acidification is vital for maintaining soil health and ecosystem services.

Keywords:
acidificationanthropogenic activitiesecosystem functionalitymicrobial diversitysoil health

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Soil acidification is a growing global concern impacting soil health.
  • The effects of human-induced soil acidification on soil microbial communities are not fully understood.
  • Soil microorganisms are crucial for soil health and ecosystem functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of anthropogenic soil acidification on soil microbial traits.
  • To compare the effects of anthropogenic acidification with natural pH gradients.
  • To identify the primary drivers of soil functionality decline under acidification.

Main Methods:

  • Meta-analysis of 455 experimental studies.
  • Comparison of soil acidification effects under different scenarios: nitrogen-induced, acid addition, and natural pH gradients.
  • Assessment of microbial biomass, richness, Shannon index, and enzyme activities.

Main Results:

  • Nitrogen-induced acidification and acid addition significantly reduced microbial biomass, richness, Shannon index, and enzyme activities.
  • Natural pH gradients had minimal effects on microbial traits compared to anthropogenic acidification.
  • Croplands showed more severe acidification and steeper declines in microbial traits than natural ecosystems.
  • Reductions in microbial biomass were the main driver of decreased soil functionality.

Conclusions:

  • Anthropogenic soil acidification poses a significant threat to soil microbial communities and functions.
  • Mitigating human-caused soil acidification is essential for preserving soil health, particularly in agricultural lands.
  • Soil microbial biomass is a key indicator of soil functionality under acidification stress.