Summary
This widely cited review by van der Heijden, Bardgett and van Straalen synthesises evidence that soil microorganisms — collectively constituting what the authors term the 'unseen majority' — play a fundamental role in structuring plant communities and sustaining terrestrial productivity. The paper draws on experimental and observational studies to demonstrate that plant–soil microbial feedbacks, particularly those mediated by mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, are critical determinants of plant diversity and ecosystem functioning. It makes the case that soil biodiversity should be considered a central component of ecosystem management rather than a secondary consideration.
UK applicability
Although the review is global in scope, its findings are highly applicable to UK agricultural and conservation contexts, particularly given ongoing policy interest in soil health under the Environmental Land Management schemes and the role of soil biodiversity in supporting productive, resilient farming systems.
Key measures
Plant species diversity indices; plant productivity (biomass); mycorrhizal colonisation rates; nitrogen fixation rates; soil microbial community composition; plant–soil feedback relationships
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews and synthesises evidence on how soil microbial communities — including mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and other soil biota — influence plant community composition, species diversity, and primary productivity across terrestrial ecosystems. It examines the mechanisms by which belowground microbial interactions drive aboveground ecological outcomes.
Topic tags
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