Vulnerability of soil food webs to chemical pollution and climate change

Abstract

Soil food webs are critical for maintaining ecosystem functions but are challenged by various stressors including climate change, habitat destruction and pollution. Although complex multitrophic networks can, in theory, buffer environmental stress, the effects of anthropogenic chemicals on soil food webs under climate change remain poorly understood. Here we propose that the effects of chemical pollution on soil communities have been largely underestimated, particularly for climate change-affected ecosystems. We explore the interactive effects of environmental stressors on soil food webs and the importance of integrating chemical pollution impacts into assessing soil food web stability. We also discuss a conceptual framework involving microbiome manipulation, community compensatory dynamics and interaction modulation to mitigate the combined effects of chemical pollution and climate change on soil food webs.