Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 14, 2025

ABSTRACT Biological diversity in mountain ecosystems has been increasingly studied over the last decade. This is also case for soils, but no study to date provided an overall synthesis of current state knowledge. Here we fill this gap with a first global analysis published research on cryptogams, microorganisms, and fauna soils above treeline, structured Based corpus almost 1400 publications expertise 37 soil scientists worldwide, summarise what known about distribution patterns each these organismal groups, specifically along elevation, provide overview available knowledge drivers explaining their changes. In particular, document elevation‐dependent decrease faunal while cryptogams there initial increase followed by towards nival belt. Thus, our data confirm key role that elevation plays shaping biodiversity organisms soils. The response prokaryote turn, was more diverse, whereas fungal appeared be substantially influenced plants. As far as available, describe characteristics, adaptations, functions species, despite lack ecological information uncultivated majority prokaryotes, fungi, protists, illustrate remarkable unique life forms histories encountered alpine By applying rule‐ well pattern‐based literature‐mining approaches semi‐quantitative analyses, identified hotspots European Alps Central Asia revealed significant gaps taxonomic coverage, particularly among biocrusts, fauna. We further report thematic priorities treeline identify unanswered questions. Building upon outcomes synthesis, conclude set opportunities worldwide. Soils fulfil critical make essential contributions land. Accordingly, seizing closing appears crucial enable science‐based decision making regions formulating laws guidelines support conservation targets.

Language: Английский