Controllability of soil loss and runoff using soil microorganisms: A review

Abstract

Some arguments on the durability, dynamism, applicability, cost, and environmental aspects of chemical and physical additives confirm the general tendency to apply biological amendments for soil and water resource conservation. In this regard, the application of biological soil crusts is regarded as one of the biological and environmentally oriented methods to improve the soil hydrological behavior, cohesion, aggregation, and erodibility in such a way as to withstand destructive agents for soil and water loss. Despite general agreement on the beneficial effects of microorganisms in reducing soil loss and runoff, no unique conclusion has been drawn to minutely report the extension and consequences of applying soil microorganisms in soil and water conservation. In the current endeavor, out of too many reports found following insight searches in the public domains, 77 journal papers published from 1990 to 2023 on the relationship between microorganisms on soil loss and runoff control were ultimately reviewed. Accordingly, the first successful research was reported in 2003. Our further inspections showed that more than 90 % of the investigations had been conducted in China, Spain, Iran, the United States, Palestine, and the west of the Jordan River. In 82 % of the internationally published investigations, the application of cyanobacteria for conserving soil and water resources has been either preferred or recommended. Overall, the outcome of our inspection showed that microorganisms have been effective in controlling runoff and soil loss, due to which a global increasing tendency to extend soil microorganisms-based approaches is seen for soil and water resources management.