Integrating biodiversity conservation, microbial resilience and habitat prioritization in human-impacted landscapes
Abstract
Human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, mining and infrastructure development have profoundly altered natural landscapes, challenging the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Microbial communities, as foundational drivers of soil fertility, nutrient cycling and plant resilience, play a pivotal yet often overlooked role in maintaining ecosystem stability under anthropogenic pressure. Concurrently, prioritizing habitats based on ecological, hydrological and social metrics provides a strategic framework for effective conservation interventions. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the interactions among biodiversity conservation, microbial resilience and habitat prioritization in human-impacted landscapes. We discuss how integrating microbial ecology with species-level conservation and spatial habitat assessments can enhance ecosystem resilience, maintain essential services and inform sustainable landscape management. The review highlights multiscale approaches, from microbial to landscape levels, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary strategies that combine ecological monitoring, social engagement and adaptive management in landscapes facing increasing environmental pressures.