Microbial bioindicators of soil recovery potential under anthropogenic transformation

Abstract

Amid global climate change and intense human pressure, the planet’s land cover is undergoing unprecedented transformation. According to the FAO, over 1.66 billion hectares, more than 10% of the world’s land area, have already been degraded through unsustainable use, with over 60% of this occurring on agricultural land. The problem is especially acute in regions affected by military actions and man-made pollution, where physical, chemical, and biological destruction of soils paralyses natural self-purification and the restoration of ecosystem services. This article establishes a comprehensive theoretical and methodological framework for studying anthropogenic soil transformation, systematising global scientific literature and developing an original matrix classification of transformation types that accounts for military and technogenic factors. Through critical analysis of concepts from classical soil science to the modern WRB system, the transition from Anthrosols to Technosols is justified, reflecting anthropogenesis as a dominant factor in soil formation under Anthropocene conditions. Soil microbiota is treated as the most sensitive early bioindicator of anthropogenic stress, capable of determining ecosystems’ restorative potential before visible changes appear. The proposed classification is structured around four axes: nature of impact (mechanical, geochemical, biotic, mixed), degree of reversibility, spatial hierarchy, and functional landscape typology. Results confirm that the microbial consortium’s functional structure is key to assessing reversibility and reclamation effectiveness. The framework holds significant value for monitoring, mapping and restoring degraded soils, particularly in post-conflict Ukraine, advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.