Scientists warn that global warming poses a serious threat to a vast range of beneficial bacteria on Earth. According to data published in the journal Nature Food, climate change could lead to an 8.5-fold increase in the loss of soil microbes.

An international team of scientists, including American, Chinese, British, Estonian and other specialists, conducted a study that predicted a significant decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria for plants. Global warming will cause this phenomenon.

It turned out that valuable soil bacteria, which play a key role in the development of crops and diverse ecosystems, may begin to disappear under the influence of climate change on the planet. Entire communities of microorganisms are at risk. These bacteria decompose dead organic substances into mineral ones, which is an integral part of the process necessary for the normal functioning of biocenoses.

According to scientists, if greenhouse gas emissions triple by 2075, the number of soil microorganisms will decrease by 80% in regions of the planet at the level of 0.60%. To ensure global food security, experts propose to stimulate innovation in agriculture.