Biodiversity biological Soil Resilience (BSR): A new index to assess resilience in environmentally stressed ecosystems by including entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes

Abstract: Over the last century, natural habitats and semi-natural environments have been under increasing environmental pressure, leading to significant changes and a decline in biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life forms in an ecosystem and is essential for preserving genetic resources and sustaining populations. The soil is fundamental to terrestrial ecosystem function and environmental health, contributing significantly to support and regulation services. Soil is home to some of the most fascinating organisms on earth. The diversity in soils is several orders of magnitude higher than that above ground (Heywood, 1995). A new resilience index named Biodiversity biological Soil Resilience (BSR) is proposed to address these challenges. This index focuses on the intricate relationship between biodiversity and soil health. It involves a comprehensive analysis of soil biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), earthworms, and soil microarthropods. Numerous studies support the crucial roles of these components in ecosystem resilience, offering diverse benefits that contribute to environmental stability. For example, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) play a significant role in biological control, the food chain, nutrient cycling, adaptability, and interactions with soil. Earthworms enhance soil aeration, promote the mixing of organic and mineral material, increase microbial biomass, provide biological control against pathogens, and foster beneficial symbioses. These organisms exhibit adaptability to various environmental conditions, contributing to the ecosystems’ ability to withstand and recover from environmental stresses. Microarthropods, including mites and collembola, also play a crucial role in the BSR-Index by contributing to soil properties such as decomposition, nutrient cycling, soil structure, biodiversity, adaptability, and resilience. Additionally, they engage in fundamental interactions with vegetation and other microorganisms, further influencing ecosystem health. The BSRIndex is envisioned as a monitoring tool for the scientific community and government authorities. It provides valuable insights for the implementation of sustainable and effective environmental planning
measures. The Index, incorporating environmental stresses, soil biodiversity, and soil biological quality (QBS-ar and QBS-e), supported by chemical and physical parameters, aims to enhance our understanding of ecosystem health and promote informed decision-making for a resilient and sustainable future.