Conclusion and perspectives
This study enhances our understanding of how ecological processes
operate in below-ground communities and networks, thereby extending our
knowledge of ecological communities as a whole. Furthermore, our
research offers valuable insights into the impacts of global change on
soil biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystem functioning, particularly in
vulnerable mountainous systems experiencing climate change and land-use
modifications. Land management decisions, such as forestry, agriculture,
and tourism, can alter local land-use and habitats, necessitating
consideration of their effects on soil food webs and ecosystem
functioning. However, further investigations are needed to explore the
underlying mechanisms driving spatial changes in food web structure.
Additionally, studying the recovery and resilience of soil food webs to
land-use changes is essential, considering the dynamic nature of
ecosystems in the face of a constantly changing climate. These future
studies will enhance our understanding of soil food webs and their
responses to environmental changes, aiding informed land management
decisions and sustainable practices.
Table 1. Environmental variables used in this study.