Special Issues
We are pleased to announce that four special issues will be published as a major scientific output of the upcoming GSB2026, to be held in Victoria, Canada, on April 12–15, 2026. This flagship global event will bring together scientists, practitioners, land managers, and policymakers from around the world to advance soil biodiversity science and its contributions to ecosystem resilience, sustainable land use, climate action, and environmental governance.
All participating publishers are proud sponsors of GSB2026, helping amplify the conference’s impact through these dedicated special issues. Each will be coordinated by invited Guest Editors that are part of our Local Organizing Committee and will highlight the most innovative and impactful research presented during the meeting.
Submissions open on May 6, 2026 and close November 1, 2026.
The participating journals are:
Pedobiologia
This special issue will highlight foundational advances in soil biodiversity science, emphasizing taxonomy, systematics, and functional ecology across diverse soil organisms. It will feature studies that uncover new taxa, refine classification frameworks, and explore patterns of diversity, biogeography, and ecosystem roles. Contributions integrating morphological, molecular, and functional approaches are encouraged, as are those linking biodiversity to soil processes in natural, agricultural, and restored ecosystems. By bridging classical taxonomy and modern ecological theory, this issue aims to deepen our understanding of the hidden diversity sustaining belowground life and ecosystem function.
Guest Editors: Carlos Barreto, Jeff Battigelli, Erin Cameron
Soil Biology & Biochemistry
This special issue will bring together studies at the forefront of soil biodiversity–function relationships and ecosystem biogeochemistry. It will feature research exploring how microbial and faunal interactions regulate nutrient cycling, soil respiration, and carbon dynamics under global change pressures. Process-based and mechanistic studies addressing how biodiversity contributes to soil multifunctionality, stability, and resilience are particularly encouraged. By connecting species traits, community structure, and ecosystem processes across spatial scales, the issue seeks to advance predictive models and conceptual frameworks that integrate biodiversity to ecosystem processes.
Guest Editors: Carlos Barreto, Nathan Basiliko, Tandra D. Fraser
Applied Soil Ecology
This special issue will showcase applied research linking soil biodiversity to sustainable land management and ecosystem resilience. It will focus on the use of biodiversity indicators for monitoring soil health, guiding restoration, and informing agroecological transitions. Contributions exploring biodiversity-based management practices, policy applications, and innovative methodologies for assessing soil organisms are particularly welcome. The collection aims to demonstrate how soil biodiversity can be harnessed to enhance productivity, improve soil function, and implement nature-based solutions that address global challenges in climate adaptation, food security, and land degradation neutrality.
Guest editors: Carlos Barreto, Lisa M. Lumley, Marla Schwarzfeld
Journal of Sustainable Agriculture & Environment
This special issue will highlight integrative research linking soil biodiversity to climate-smart agriculture and sustainable environmental management. It will feature studies demonstrating how soil organisms underpin nutrient cycling, soil structure, and productivity while supporting adaptation and mitigation strategies. Contributions bridging science, practice, and policy — including case studies, frameworks, and management interventions — are encouraged. The collection will also explore how biodiversity-based practices enhance ecosystem services, promote carbon sequestration, and foster resilience to land-use and climate change, providing tangible pathways for implementing global sustainability and biodiversity conservation goals.
Guest Editors: Brajesh Singh, Carlos Barreto, Zoë Lindo