Summary
This global systematic review synthesises nearly 1400 publications on soil biodiversity in alpine ecosystems above the treeline, integrating expertise from 37 mountain soil scientists. The authors document distinct elevation-dependent patterns for different soil organism groups—faunal diversity decreases with elevation, cryptogams show initial increases then decline, and prokaryotes show variable responses—whilst identifying significant geographic and taxonomic gaps in current research. The findings confirm elevation as a key driver of soil biodiversity distribution in mountain environments, though emphasise the limited ecological understanding of uncultivated microbiota and protists.
UK applicability
The findings are directly relevant to UK upland and mountain regions (Scottish Highlands, Lake District, Pennines, Welsh mountains), where similar elevation-dependent soil biodiversity patterns and ecosystem functions are likely to operate. Understanding alpine soil communities may inform UK peatland, moorland, and mountain grassland management and conservation policies.
Key measures
Diversity and distribution patterns of cryptogams, microorganisms (prokaryotes, fungi, protists), and fauna along elevation gradients; identification of research hotspots and taxonomic coverage gaps
Outcomes reported
The study synthesised patterns of cryptogam, microorganism, and faunal diversity in mountain soils above the treeline, documenting elevation-dependent changes and identifying research hotspots and taxonomic gaps. Key findings include elevation-dependent decreases in faunal diversity, initial increases in cryptogam diversity above the treeline followed by decreases toward the nival belt, and variable prokaryote responses to elevation.
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