Interrelationship between soil quality and biodiversity: Implications for environmental sustainability

Articles in Press

Document Type : Reviewers

Authors

1 Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan

2 Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Termez State University of Engineering and Agrotechnologies, Termez, Uzbekistan.

3 School of Natural Sciences, National Pedagogical University of Uzbekistan named after Nizami, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

4 Department of Natural Sciences, Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

5 Department of Anesthesia Techniques, health and medical techniques college, Alnoor University, Mosul, Iraq

6 Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq

7 Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India

8 Department of Chemistry, University Institute of Sciences, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India

10.22124/cjes.2026.9551

Abstract

In contrast to conventional systems, which have shown negative impacts on soils and biodiversity, new approaches to sustainable farming, such as Conservation Agriculture (CA), regenerative farming, organic farming, legume rotations, cover crops, prairie strips, and bio-inputs, have been promoted as new strategies to face future challenges. Their effectiveness varies depending on the specific case. A critical review of 26 articles was carried out to analyze the relationships between soils and biodiversity under different sustainable farming systems, focusing on patterns of success that are not usually highlighted in reviews based on conventional approaches.  In terms of physical properties, stable aggregates increased by 38 to 47%, while sediment loss was reduced by 20-fold. Soil organic carbon was also increased by up to 8.4 g kg⁻¹, while microbial biomass was increased by up to 293%. Three patterns have been identified: "Win-Win-Win" (positive impacts on soils, biodiversity, and economic returns) in perennial systems (olive groves, almond trees); "Trade-off" systems (organic vineyards: + biodiversity, -16% in yields); and "Context-specific" systems, where results depend heavily on site-specific conditions. Interestingly, two types of microbial responses have been identified, namely, compositional changes without increased richness and concomitant increases in richness. Most studies have been conducted in the short term (<10 years), have not considered transition costs (which can involve a 10- to 15% loss in yield), and have not examined the networks of biotic interactions. Sustainable practices can have positive effects on both soil and biodiversity, and this "golden triangle" can be achieved. However, this is not always the case and is highly dependent on the type of crops used (perennial or annual), initial soil conditions, and socio-economic factors. Without policy intervention to help offset transition costs, there are significant challenges to scaling up.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 17 April 2026

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