Precision manipulation of soil food web is a critical point for exploring and enhancing the ecological functions of soil biota.In this study,we outline the current approaches to soil food web manipulation,discuss the present status and challenges of studies on the ecological functions of soil food web.The direct manipulation methods are limited in field application.Alternatively,soil food web could be indirectly manipulated but the manipulation consequences are likely not consistent due to the complexity of interactions.The figure of soil food web is still vague;the key stone taxa of soil food web and their contribution weights are difficult to be recognized;and finally the material cycling and energy flow in soil food web are not fully quantified.We suggest to explore the solutions from four dimensions:1) developing field technique systems for monitoring both soil food web and related ecological processes;2) developing simple and practicable techniques for field manipulation of soil food web;3) focusing on the soil food web-sphere;4) performing soil food web-related integrated studies of multiple scales,multiple factors and multiple processes.

precision manipulation of soil biota  /  field manipulation experiment  /  soil biota monitoring  /  internal balance of soil food web  /  ecological process