Biodiv Sci ›› 2022, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (8): 22186.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2022186

Special Issue: 土壤生物与土壤健康

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

An overview of advances in soil microbial diversity of urban environment

Bing Yan1, Qing Lu2, Song Xia1, Junsheng Li3,*()   

  1. 1. Institute of Energy Research, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330096
    2. Faculty of Geomatics, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013
    3. China Geological Survey Bureau, Command Center for Comprehensive Survey of Natural Resources, Beijing 100055
  • Received:2022-04-14 Accepted:2022-06-23 Online:2022-08-20 Published:2022-08-31
  • Contact: Junsheng Li

Abstract:

Background & Aims: The impact of urbanization on biodiversity is one of the hotspot issues of ecology, which has attracted extensive attention. Soil microorganisms are the key driver of ecosystem process, which is very important in the exertion of ecosystem function and the provision of ecosystem services. Soil microbial diversity as an important part of urban biodiversity play vital roles in maintaining the health and stability of urban ecosystem. In recent years, studies have focused on the structure and diversity of urban soil microbial community and addressed some key questions, but the related systematic summary and discussion remains limited.

Progresses: Here we analyzed the impact of urbanization on soil microbial characteristics, community composition, function and diversity. Then we summarized the main factors affecting urban soil microbial diversity. We found that urbanization has changed the community composition and function of soil microorganisms, and had different impacts on bacterial and fungal diversities. Urban environmental factors affected soil microbial diversity through direct and indirect effects.

Prospects: We discussed the maintaining mechanisms and protection of urban soil microbial diversity. Finally we highlighted the questions needing attention in the future research of urban soil microorganisms. We recommend that future researches need focus on (1) influence mechanism of urbanization on soil microbial diversity in urban green space; (2) effects of microbial diversity change in urban soil on ecosystem multi-function; and (3) relationship between soil microbial diversity and human health. This could provide guidance for the protection of urban soil biodiversity.

Key words: urbanization, soil microorganism, microbial diversity, environment factors