Soil diatoms and their applications as an indicator of environmental changes

Diatoms are ubiquitous unicellular microalgae that play a crucial role in ecosystems and serve as bioindicators for monitoring environmental conditions in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. While extensive research has been conducted on marine and freshwater diatoms, studies on soil diatoms remain limited. Numerous studies have concentrated on the indicator properties of diatoms in soil without adequately understanding their ecological roles. Understanding soil diatom assemblages and their diversity across different geographical regions is essential for improving their application in environmental studies. This review examines the current state of soil diatom research globally, analyzing 122 studies from Google Scholar. It explores key aspects, including the historical development of soil diatom research, taxonomic advancements, ecological interactions, and their application in environmental monitoring. Despite their ecological significance, soil diatoms are influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors, impacting soil quality. Human activities in forests and agricultural lands have contributed to pollution, underscoring the need for soil diatom-based indices to assess soil health. However, existing assessments primarily rely on aquatic indices, such as the Specific Pollution Sensitivity Index, highlighting the necessity for soil-specific pollution indices. By synthesizing current knowledge, this review emphasizes the importance of soil diatoms in ecological studies and environmental assessments. Future research should focus on their ecological functions and develop targeted soil diatom-based monitoring tools to enhance soil management, environmental monitoring, and pollution assessment strategies.