Role of Soil Microbiota Enzymes in Soil Health and Activity Changes Depending on Climate Change and the Type of Soil Ecosystem

Summary

This comprehensive review examines the pivotal role of extracellular enzymes secreted by soil microorganisms in organic matter decomposition and global nutrient cycling. The authors synthesise current understanding of how soil enzyme activities respond to abiotic factors and climate change across diverse ecosystems (forests, grasslands, tropics, arctic regions, deserts), concluding that whilst temperature, moisture, pH and substrate availability significantly impact enzyme function, climate change effects remain ambiguous—producing both reductions and enhancements in catalytic activities depending on context.

Regional applicability

The review's findings on temperate and grassland soil systems have direct relevance to United Kingdom agricultural and natural systems. However, as this is an international synthesis spanning tropical to arctic ecosystems, UK-specific validation through local field studies would strengthen applicability to British soil and climate conditions.

Key measures

Soil enzyme activity levels; effects of soil temperature, moisture, water content, pH, substrate availability, average annual temperature and precipitation; responses to climate change, soil ecosystem type, organic farming practices and fertilisation regimes

Outcomes reported

This review synthesised evidence on how soil microbial extracellular enzymes vary across diverse soil ecosystems and climatic regions, and how abiotic factors (temperature, moisture, pH, substrate availability) and climate change alter their activities. The authors examined enzyme roles in carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen cycling as indicators of soil health and fertility.

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