FAO is developing a Global Soil Biodiversity Observatory to improve how countries measure and protect life below ground. Soil organisms support fertility, decomposition and nutrient cycles, yet knowledge remains uneven across regions and species. Existing information covers some earthworms, bacteria and soil carbon, while many organisms and difficult environments receive far less attention. This gap makes it harder to assess how climate events, pollution and land degradation affect underground ecosystems.
The planned observatory would coordinate research networks and develop comparable indicators for national monitoring. It would also support laboratories and training so more countries can collect, analyse and interpret soil data. Standard methods matter because measurements from different places must be compatible before researchers can identify global patterns. Better evidence could guide conservation, although governments would still need policies and resources to act on it.