A global database of soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids and enzyme activities
Soil microbes shape ecosystem function and mediate responses to global change, yet microbial data remain scattered and regionally biased. This study compiles a global database of 12,258 georeferenced soil samples—including 5.1% previously unpublished—containing measurements of 113 phospholipid fatty acids and 26 potential enzyme activities, along with metadata such as soil pH, carbon, nitrogen, depth and sampling date. By consolidating microbial biomass and functional indicators across all continents, the database enables robust global‑ and local‑scale analyses of soil microbial ecology, supporting advances in ecosystem modeling, climate‑change research and biogeochemical understanding.
Subject Tags
- Soils
Abstract
Soil microbes drive ecosystem function and play a critical role in how ecosystems respond to global change. Research surrounding soil microbial communities has rapidly increased in recent decades, and substantial data relating to phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and potential enzyme activity have been collected and analysed. However, studies have mostly been restricted to local and regional scales, and their accuracy and usefulness are limited by the extent of accessible data. Here we aim to improve data availability by collating a global database of soil PLFA and potential enzyme activity measurements from 12,258 georeferenced samples located across all continents, 5.1% of which have not previously been published. The database contains data relating to 113 PLFAs and 26 enzyme activities, and includes metadata such as sampling date, sample depth, and soil pH, total carbon, and total nitrogen. This database will help researchers in conducting both global- and local-scale studies to better understand soil microbial biomass and function.
Citation
van Galen, L. G., Smith, G. R., Margenot, A. J., Waldrop, M. P., Crowther, T. W., Peay, K. G., ... & van den Hoogen, J. (2025). A global database of soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids and enzyme activities. Scientific data, 12(1), 1568. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05759-2
TNC Authors
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Elizabeth M. Bach
Ecosystem Restoration Scientist, Illinois
The Nature Conservancy
Email: elizabeth.bach@tnc.org