How does biodiversity loss affect soil health and water purification?

Biodiversity is essential for maintaining the quality of ecosystem services, which include the critical functions of maintaining soil health and purifying water. When biodiversity declines, the complexity of an ecosystem is reduced, often leading to a breakdown in these vital processes.12

Impact on Soil Health

Soil health relies on a diverse community of soil organisms, ranging from microscopic bacteria to burrowing animals like earthworms. These organisms are responsible for:3
* Nutrient Cycling: They break down organic matter, releasing stored nutrients and facilitating essential cycles such as the carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle.34
* Structure and Aeration: Through their movement and feeding, soil organisms improve drainage, aeration, and the overall physical structure of the soil, which supports plant growth.34

Biodiversity loss disrupts these interactions. As the variety of species decreases, the ecosystem loses its ability to efficiently recycle nutrients and maintain soil structure, potentially leading to reduced fertility and increased susceptibility to erosion.14

Impact on Water Purification

Ecosystems naturally purify water as it moves through the environment. This service is heavily dependent on the presence of diverse biological communities that regulate moisture and filter substances. When biodiversity is lost, the ecosystem's ability to recover from disturbances—known as ecological resilience—is diminished. The loss of specialized species and the simplification of food chains can impair the natural filtration processes that keep water clean, ultimately degrading the quality of the water running through the ecosystem.12