Turning around the fate of overgrazed grasslands just got easier? A team of researchers found that tiny but mighty soil organisms could offer a key to restoration.

The team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences employed soil inoculation, adding microbial-rich soil from healthy ecosystems to degraded areas. The results, published in ISME Communications and Geoderma.

They found introducing soil from meadows and forest-grassland edges significantly improved plant growth, biodiversity, and essential functions like nutrient cycling within the degraded land.

This "microbial boost" led to greater multifunctionality, the ecosystem's ability to provide crucial services like carbon storage, water retention, and nutrient supply. The more microbes added, the better, highlighting the crucial role of these tiny organisms.

The research identified specific fungal communities as key players in boosting ecosystem health. This sheds light on the biological processes connecting plants and soil, paving the way for optimized restoration strategies.

This discovery holds immense potential for restoring degraded grasslands worldwide, promoting sustainable land management and environmental well-being. With the help of these natural allies, once-degraded grasslands can flourish again. The researchers were even involved in developing a national soil health standard in China, showcasing the practical application of their findings.

YUE Qian

Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Tel: 86-24-83970317

E-mail: yueqian@iae.ac.cn

Web: http://english.iae.cas.cn