Summary
This global study demonstrates that conversion of natural ecosystems (forest, grassland, wetland) to agricultural cropland drives significant taxonomic homogenisation of soil bacterial communities, primarily through increased geographic ranges of particular taxa in croplands. Whilst overall functional composition remains similar, croplands show marked depletion in genes involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphorus mineralisation and nutrient transport. The findings integrate continental-scale sampling with global meta-analysis to provide evidence that agricultural intensification reduces below-ground microbial diversity with potential implications for soil functioning.
UK applicability
These findings are relevant to UK arable and mixed farming systems, particularly regarding the homogenising effects of conventional crop monocultures on soil health. The depletion of nitrogen fixation and phosphorus mobilisation genes in UK croplands may reflect the reliance on synthetic fertilisers and warrants investigation into whether conservation or regenerative practices could restore microbial functional capacity.
Key measures
Taxonomic composition of soil bacteria (phylotypes); functional gene profiles; geographic range expansion of taxa; percentage of phylotypes increased (23%) and decreased (20%) by land conversion; presence of enriched bacterial phyla in croplands (Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadota, Planctomycetota, Myxococcota, Latescibacterota)
Outcomes reported
The study quantified changes in soil bacterial taxonomic and functional diversity following conversion of natural ecosystems to cropland, using 1185 continental soil samples combined with a global meta-analysis of over 2400 samples across six continents. It identified specific bacterial taxa enriched or depleted in croplands and documented depletion of functional genes associated with nitrogen fixation, phosphorus mineralisation and nutrient transport.
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