A common framework for developing robust soil fauna classifications

Classifying organisms has a wide use and long history in ecology. However, the meaning of ‘group organisms’ how to group is still subject much theoretical empirical work. Achieving this quest requires simplifying complexity species niches for which relevant morphological, behavioural, biochemical or life-history traits are often used as proxies. Soil fauna highly diverse many classifications have been proposed synthesize both response soil their environment effect on functioning. Here, we provide critical overview characteristics limitations existing ecology, propose clarifications alternatives current practices. We summarise similarities differences created harmonization concepts by properly defining ‘guilds’, ‘functional groups’ ‘trophic subcategories ‘ecological groups’, with different purposes distinguishing criteria. Finally, based these concepts, suggest common framework define functional that allows better unified understanding changes biodiversity ecosystem