Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark.
Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
Nat Microbiol. 2024 Aug;9(8):1918-1928. doi: 10.1038/s41564-024-01767-x. Epub 2024 Aug 2.
The soil microbiome is recognized as an essential component of healthy soils. Viruses are also diverse and abundant in soils, but their roles in soil systems remain unclear. Here we argue for the consideration of viruses in soil microbial food webs and describe the impact of viruses on soil biogeochemistry. The soil food web is an intricate series of trophic levels that span from autotrophic microorganisms to plants and animals. Each soil system encompasses contrasting and dynamic physicochemical conditions, with labyrinthine habitats composed of particles. Conditions are prone to shifts in space and time, and this variability can obstruct or facilitate interactions of microorganisms and viruses. Because viruses can infect all domains of life, they must be considered as key regulators of soil food web dynamics and biogeochemical cycling. We highlight future research avenues that will enable a more robust understanding of the roles of viruses in soil function and health.
土壤微生物组被认为是健康土壤的重要组成部分。病毒在土壤中也具有多样性和丰富度，但它们在土壤系统中的作用仍不清楚。在这里，我们主张在土壤微生物食物网中考虑病毒，并描述病毒对土壤生物地球化学的影响。土壤食物网是一系列复杂的营养级，从自养微生物到植物和动物都有涉及。每个土壤系统都包含着截然不同且动态的物理化学条件，以及由颗粒组成的错综复杂的栖息地。条件容易在空间和时间上发生变化，这种可变性可能会阻碍或促进微生物和病毒的相互作用。由于病毒可以感染所有生命领域，因此它们必须被视为土壤食物网动态和生物地球化学循环的关键调节因子。我们强调了未来的研究途径，这将使我们能够更深入地了解病毒在土壤功能和健康中的作用。
