Abstract Soil biodiversity is crucial to the maintenance of multiple critical ecosystem functions and services. However, remarkably little is known about the conservation status of most soil-dependent species. To better understand the current situation, we determined the number of soil-dependent species listed in the various categories of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Firstly, a definition of soil-dependent species was developed for IUCN Red List purposes, and this definition facilitated the identification of 8,653 currently listed soil-dependent species. These species included 503 invertebrate and fungal species assessed during the current study; these species were chosen as they were based on priorities for the Red List Strategic Plan, and IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Group interests. We discuss progress and constraints on the IUCN Red List assessment of soil-dependent species worldwide. Our recommendations for the IUCN SSC to improve the IUCN Red List as a source of information on conservation of soil-dependent species are: (1) scaling up of SSC assessment processes for soil-dependent invertebrates and fungi, including establishment of a Soil Biota Working Group, in line with the IUCN Red List Strategic Plan; (2) building closer connections with other organizations and agencies researching and monitoring soil biodiversity; and (3) broader engagement with and education of governments, landholders and the public as to the fundamental importance of the conservation of global soil biodiversity.
Cox et al. (2026) studied this question.