Effects of intensive agricultural management practices on soil biodiversity and implications for ecosystem functioning: A review

Agricultural intensification often leads to environmental disruptions that can significantly alter soil biodiversity, impacting ecosystem functions; however, the links between these effects are not well understood. Agricultural intensification refers to the intensified use of agricultural resources, generally by shifting from intermittent to continuous cultivation on the same land. The degree of intensification can be calculated as I=L×N×P×E×W, where I is intensification, L is land-use diversity, N is nutrient use, P is pest management, E represents energy input, and W stands for water management, all scaled from 0 to 1. Microbial diversity in soil exists at three levels: genetic, species, and ecological. Assessing how agricultural practices impact these functions often involves using performance-based indices. Research has shown that intensive farming practices can negatively affect microbial diversity. For instance, fertilization alone does not always significantly alter microbial populations, but combining fertilizers with organic manure can lead to higher yields and increased greenhouse gas emissions. In monocropping systems, reduced microbial diversity has been linked to poorer soil structure and organic carbon content. Fungal populations are particularly sensitive to tillage practices, with no-tillage systems fostering greater fungal abundance compared to conventional tillage. Furthermore, studies suggest that soil biodiversity declines with higher pesticide use and intensified land use. Consequently, sustainable agricultural practices that balance productivity with environmental health are necessary to maintain soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions.