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Soil function: habitat and biodiversity support

Soil function: providing valued habitats and sustaining biodiversity

Soils provide permanent living space for a wide range of soil organisms from the very small (for example bacteria and fungi) to the very large (insect larvas, earthworms and even small mammals like moles). Soils also shelter many other soil-dwelling species.

Soil section showing biotubation and earthworm channel.  link to image

Soil biodiversity is at the heart of many environmental processes. Soil organisms transform and degrade nutrients and organic matter making them available to other plants and organisms.  Soil biodiversity also controls the degradation and release of many pollutants.

Many of our valued habitats and rare plant species are dependent on very specific soil properties.  For example, low pH is essential for calcareous grassland, and increased nutrient concentrations in the soil are often damaging to many upland habitats.

Threats to this soil function as defined in the Scottish Soil Framework

Major effect

  • Climate change: some valued soils which underpin important habitats are at risk from increasing temperature (e.g montane soils) and / or sea level rise (e.g. machair); risk of invasion by non-native species above and below ground
  • Loss of organic matter
  • Acidification and eutrophication
  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Sealing
  • Salinisation
  • Pesticides
  • Contamination

Minor effect

  • Soil erosion
  • Compaction and structural damage