24 research outputs found
Towards a global platform for linking soil biodiversity data
Soil biodiversity is immense, with an estimated 10–100 million organisms belonging to over 5000 taxa in a handful of soil. In spite of the importance of soil biodiversity for ecosystem functions and services, information on soil species, from taxonomy to biogeographical patterns, is incomplete and there is no infrastructure to connect pre-existing or future data. Here, we propose a global platform to allow for greater access to soil biodiversity information by linking databases and repositories through a single open portal. The proposed platform would for the first time, link data on soil organisms from different global sites and biomes, and will be inclusive of all data types, from molecular sequences to morphology measurements and other supporting information. Access to soil biodiversity species records and information will be instrumental to progressing scientific research and education. Further, as demonstrated by previous biodiversity synthesis efforts, data availability is key for adapting to, and creating mitigation plans in response to global changes. With the rapid influx of soil biodiversity data, now is the time to take the first steps forward in establishing a global soil biodiversity information platform
Stochastic Expression of the Interferon-β Gene
The analysis of stochastic interferon-beta gene expression in virus-infected mammalian cells reveals that the levels of components required for virtually every step in the virus induction pathway are limiting
Priorities for research in soil ecology
The ecological interactions that occur in and with soil are of consequence in many ecosystems on the planet. These interactions provide numerous essential ecosystem services, and the sustainable management of soils has attracted increasing scientific and public attention. Although soil ecology emerged as an independent field of research many decades ago, and we have gained important insights into the functioning of soils, there still are fundamental aspects that need to be better understood to ensure that the ecosystem services that soils provide are not lost and that soils can be used in a sustainable way. In this perspectives paper, we highlight some of the major knowledge gaps that should be prioritized in soil ecological research. These research priorities were compiled based on an online survey of 32 editors of Pedobiologia – Journal of Soil Ecology. These editors work at universities and research centers in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. The questions were categorized into four themes: (1) soil biodiversity and biogeography, (2) interactions and the functioning of ecosystems, (3) global change and soil management, and (4) new directions. The respondents identified priorities that may be achievable in the near future, as well as several that are currently achievable but remain open. While some of the identified barriers to progress were technological in nature, many respondents cited a need for substantial leadership and goodwill among members of the soil ecology research community, including the need for multi-institutional partnerships, and had substantial concerns regarding the loss of taxonomic expertise
Phase II Study of Doxorubicin and Bevacizumab for Patients With Metastatic Soft-Tissue Sarcomas
The Sensor Kinase DctS Forms a Tripartite Sensor Unit with DctB and DctA for Sensing C4-Dicarboxylates in Bacillus subtilis
Oxide nanolitisation-induced melt iron extraction causes viscosity jumps and enhanced explosivity in silicic magma
File contains source data for all magnetic, calorimetric, Raman spectroscopy and viscosity analyses performed. Data are divided by tabs accordingly within the file. For details of the methods and context please see the original paper
Suitability of wheat straw decomposition, cotton strip degradation and bait-lamina feeding tests to determine soil invertebrate activity
Global soil biodiversity atlas
2015 was the United Nations International Year of Soils and, for
the first time, soils and the life within them were in the spotlight
globally. An international group
of experts and scientists from the European Commission’s Joint
Research Centre (JRC), in close collaboration with colleagues
from the Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment
and the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative, have produced the first
ever Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas.
Soils are vital for human survival and underpin many sectors of
our economy. It is estimated that 99% of the world’s food comes
from the terrestrial environment. But soils are also home to over a
quarter of global biodiversity. Millions of soil-dwelling organisms
promote essential ecosystem services – from plant growth to
food production. They support biodiversity, benefit human health,
promote the regulation of nutrient cycles that in turn influence
climate, and represent an unexplored capital of natural sources.
Our knowledge of soil life is growing continuously, thanks to
recent technological advances and awareness of its value.
However, it is estimated that only 1% of soil microorganism
species have been identified. Therefore, understanding the highly
complex and dynamic life below ground remains one of the most
fascinating challenges facing scientists today. A clearer picture
of our soils will allow us to better understand environmental and
global climate change processes whilst also exploring possible
adaptation strategies.
Pressures on soil organisms are well known. An ever increasing
global population, and increased demand for food and fibre lead
to intensified agriculture, greater use of fertilisers and pesticides
as well as monocultures. Unsustainable agricultural practices,
climate change, soil erosion and loss of aboveground diversity all
negatively affect organisms that live in soil. To develop actions
that will preserve soil life, we need to better understand the
consequences of the loss of soil biodiversity.
The Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas raises awareness of the role of
soil organisms in sustaining life on our planet, and presents the
latest research on soil biodiversity. It is also a major contribution
to the EU target of halting the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem
services in the EU by 2020, and the goals of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development on sustainable food production and
fighting land degradation.
This publication marks a crucial step towards a global
coordinated effort to assess life below ground, and highlights
the need to improve soil conservation and the diversity of life within it