The Crucial Role of elevated Carbon dioxide and Temperature on Soil Biodiversity in Agricultural Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Review

Author: M. Homeshwari Devi, Immanuel C. Haokip, Asha Sahu, Sudeshna Bhattacharjya, K. Bharati and S.R. Mohanty

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Abstract

Soil biodiversity encompasses a rich array of organisms present in the soil and have profound implications for ecosystem functioning and long-term sustainability of agro ecosystem. Rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and temperature are two major drivers of global climate change scenario. This review article delves into the impact of elevated carbon dioxide (E[CO2]) and temperature on crop growth and yield and its effect on soil biodiversity. It elucidates the current understanding of how CO2 and temperature changes affect crop yield and soil biodiversity. Increased CO2 concentrations can stimulate or dampen plant growth with marked influence on crop yield and global food security. The E[CO2] affects the functional and structural composition of soil microbial community through its effects on plant C inputs to soil, soil moisture, or nutrient availabilities. Temperature influences the physiology, activity, and survival of both crops and soil organisms. Warmer temperatures disrupt the crop’s optimal temperature with adverse effect of crop physiological processes. Shifts in temperature regimes may also affect the distribution and abundance of different soil organisms, potentially favoring some species while suppressing others. Enhanced temperature also accelerates decomposition rates, nutrient cycling processes, altering organic matter dynamics and nutrient availability in the soil. The combined effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on soil biodiversity are complex and context-dependent. The interplay between elevated CO2, temperature, and soil biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems are complex and multifaceted which requires further investigation. To mitigate these adverse effects, strategies such as conservation agriculture practices, sustainable farming methods, and precision nutrient management are required to promote soil biodiversity enhance resilience, and productivity under changing environments. Continued effort is essential to unravel the mechanisms involved in these interactions.

Keywords

Climate change; GHG emissions; Global warming; soil microbial communities; plant growth and yield

Conclusion

The influence of CO2 and temperature on soil biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems is a critical concern given the ongoing challenges of climate change scenario. It is evident that these environmental changes disrupt the delicate balance of the soil ecosystem, leading to alterations in species composition, functional diversity, and nutrient cycling processes. This investigation, highlights that elevated CO2 levels tend to favor specific microbial groups, leading to shifts in community dynamics and potentially affecting nutrient availability in the soil. Additionally, increasing temperatures can exert both direct and indirect impacts on soil organisms, influencing their activity, reproduction and survival rates. The combined effects of these factors can exacerbate the vulnerability of agricultural ecosystems to environmental stresses and, consequently, impact crop productivity and overall agricultural sustainability. It is imperative to continue exploring the intricate relationships between CO2, temperature, and soil biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems.

References

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How to cite this article

M. Homeshwari Devi, Immanuel C. Haokip, Asha Sahu, Sudeshna Bhattacharjya, K. Bharati and S.R. Mohanty (2023). The Crucial Role of elevated Carbon dioxide and Temperature on Soil Biodiversity in Agricultural Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(9): 922-931.