| Title: | Subterranean environments contribute to three-quarters of classified ecosystem services |
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| Authors: | ID Mammola, Stefano (Author)
ID Brankovits, David (Author)
ID Di Lorenzo, Tiziana (Author)
ID Amorim, Isabel R. (Author)
ID Bancila, Raluca Ioana (Author)
ID Bellvert, Adrià (Author)
ID Bernard, Enrico (Author)
ID Blomberg, Anna (Author)
ID Mori, Nataša (Author)
ID Zagmajster, Maja (Author) |
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| Files: |  URL - Source URL, visit https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brv.70137
 XLSX - Presentation file, download (70,04 KB)
MD5: 236260FF0ED7C973C74E16A6857AF23E
 PDF - Presentation file, download (1,79 MB)
MD5: C2D8A40583FF81C7B442FB7B5DFD5FAB
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  NIB - National Institute of Biology
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| Abstract: | Beneath the Earth’s surface lies a network of interconnected caves, voids, and systems of fissures forming in rocks of sed-imentary, igneous, or metamorphic origin. Although largely inaccessible to humans, this hidden realm supports and reg-ulates services critical to ecological health and human well-being. Subterranean ecosystems are integral to majorbiogeochemical cycles, sustain diverse surface habitats, and serve as the primary source of irrigation and drinking water.They also offer non-material benefits, including scientific discovery, education, and cultural practices. Yet, these contri-butions often go unrecognised, partly due to the lack of a unified synthesis of ecosystem services across terrestrial, fresh-water, and marine subterranean compartments. This gap limits effective communication of their value to scientists,practitioners, and the public. Through a systematic expert-based review, we show that subterranean ecosystems contrib-ute to up to 75% of classified ecosystem services. Notably, many of these contributions are described only qualitatively,lacking numerical or economic quantification. Next, we list examples of the main ecosystem services provided by subter-ranean systems to offer a global overview of their multifaceted value and vulnerability to environmental change. Webelieve this synthesis provides researchers and practitioners with concrete examples to communicate more effectivelythe importance of subterranean ecosystems to diverse audiences. |
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| Keywords: | groundwater, hypogean, nature value, drinking water, food production, biotechnology, geothermal energy, sustainability, ecotourism, cultural heritage |
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| Publication status: | In print |
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| Publication version: | Author Accepted Manuscript |
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| Publication date: | 10.02.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-24 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-27949  |
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| UDC: | 574:551.44 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1469-185X |
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| DOI: | 10.1002/brv.70137 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 268463363 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Soavtorji: David Brankovits, Tiziana Di Lorenzo, Isabel R. Amorim, Raluca Ioana Bancila, Adrià Bellvert, Enrico Bernard, Anna Blomberg, Paulo A.V. Borges, Martina Cappelletti, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira, Rosalina Gabriel, Diana M. P. Galassi, Laura Garzoli, Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Grant C. Hose, Kathryn L. Korbel, Simone Martino, Ana Z Miller, Nataša Mori, Veronica Nanni, Giuseppe Nicolosi, Mattia Saccò, Troy S. Sakihara, Marconi Souza Silva, Anne E. Tamalavage, Maja Zagmajster, Efraín Chávez, Christian Griebler, Pedro Cardoso, Alejandro Martínez;
Opis vira z dne 13. 2. 2026;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 02.03.2026 |
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| Views: | 55 |
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| Downloads: | 43 |
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