The Research Gap between Soil Biodiversity and Soil-Related Cultural Ecosystem Services

authored by: Marlene Oberreich, Bastian Steinhoff-Knopp, Benjamin Burkhard, Janina Kleemann
Abstract: Soil and soil biodiversity are often a neglected component in assessments of ecosystems and their services. One of the reasons is the increasing complexity of scientific investigation of biotic and abiotic interactions and mechanisms from soil biodiversity and soil components via ecosystem structures, processes, and functions that finally provide specific ecosystem services for human well-being. In particular, soil-related cultural ecosystem services are missing in the publications on interactions. We tested this hypothesis by using a systematic literature analysis and taking Germany as a case study. The findings revealed a huge research gap. Among 2104 peer-reviewed scientific papers, covering all types of soil-related ecosystem services, only 28 publications were related to soil-related cultural ecosystem services in Germany. Furthermore, the terminological awareness of “ecosystem services” is still limited. The following five main categories for cultural soil-related ecosystem services were identified: (1) place of sense, (2) spiritual value, (3) recreation, (4) forecasts and measures, and (5) soil as an archive. Soil as an archive was further divided into storage, archaeological site, and reconstruction of the past. By highlighting the importance of cultural soil-related ecosystem services and their interactions with soil biodiversity, this study underlines the urgent need to better consider soil biodiversity and soil processes in ecosystem service assessments. This systemic and interdisciplinary approach increases also the societal and political relevance of soil.
Organisation(s): Institute of Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology
Physical Geography Group
External Organisation(s): Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Type: Article
Journal: Soil Systems
Volume: 8
Publication date: 04.09.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Earth-Surface Processes, Soil Science
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 15 - Life on Land
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems8030097 (Access: Open)