Application and prospects of soil micro-food web in soil health assessment and regulation

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202604.037

Abstract

Abstract: The assessment and regulation of soil health based on soil micro-food web represents a cutting-edge field in soil ecological research. Indicators of soil micro-food web are highly indicative in reflecting the state of soil ecosystems and revealing the underlying mechanisms of soil degradation. We systematically sorted out the relevant indicators of soil micro-food web that can be used for soil health assessment from the perspectives of community structure and ecological function, summarized the soil health assessment methods based on soil micro-food web, the selection and application of core micro-food web assessment indicators under different ecological scenarios, and its role in regulating soil health. Furthermore, we proposed that future efforts should focus on integrating micro-food web based regulation methods into precision agricultural practices, actively stimulating the role of soil micro-food web in the “One Health” framework, and constructing soil health evaluation system centered on multi-indicator integration and soil food web, to advance the application of soil micro-food web in the precise assessment and management of soil health.

Key words: soil health, micro-food web, soil nematode, ecological function

DU Xiaofang, WANG Zhiyun, LI Yingbin, XU Zhenxin, YU Enping, JIANG Siwei, LIANG Wenju, LI Qi. Application and prospects of soil micro-food web in soil health assessment and regulation[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2026, 37(4): 1342-1352.

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