Factors Influencing the Activities of Soil Enzymes Involved in Nutrient Cycling in Terrestrial Ecosystems

Soil ecosystems are important in sustaining flora, fauna, and microbes. It provides key nutrients to the soil—microbial metabolism to help in agricultural production, habitat maintenance, biodiversity restoration, and environmental balance. Soil enzymes play an important role in nutrient cycling, mainly carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, hence helping to create the availability of nutrients through degradation of substrate and exchange of energy. Microorganisms play a special role in enzyme production, both intracellularly and extracellularly. They are involved in microbial biomass production, organic matter decomposition, and soil productivity. Various soil parameters, viz., soil physicochemical activity, microbial activity, soil contamination, climatic factors, soil operational practices, and seasonal and land use conversion influence the soil enzyme activity. Enzymes play an important role in maintaining soil fertility and health. Therefore, soil enzymes are a great tool for evaluating the soil condition and ecosystem productivity.