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A review of the impacts of crop production on the soil microbiome

Innovations and policy recommendations to address environmental degradation, climate change and human health

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 256 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Document

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) This study underscores the critical importance of soil microbial biodiversity and soil health in the provisioning of ecosystem functions and services. It also emphasizes that (microbial) ecosystems are interconnected, and traces the underlying relationship between the microbiome and healthy soils, people and the climate system. The vast and relatively underexplored diversity of soil microbial genes and functions offers exciting opportunities for innovative solutions, which could contribute to achieving the SDGs as well as a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. FAO, with a comparative advantage as a global interlocutor in the field of food and agriculture, has a unique role to play. During a series of virtual conferences in July 2020, microbiome experts identified FAO as an appropriate intermediary between the scientific community and policymakers worldwide to identify and share innovative ideas and solutions that can bring rapid and tangible change to agrifood systems. From a microbiome science perspective, this entails investing in a dedicated, multidirectional science–policy interface, the purpose of which would be to identify and prioritize scientific information needed for policymakers and policy priorities for research agendas. This study offers a timely endorsement of the microbiome’s pivotal role in supporting biodiversity, ecosystem and human health, and climate change mitigation and adaption; and outlines FAO’s potential role as a science advisory coordinating structure to bring forward beneficial microbiome innovations.

Language English

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