Hedde M. auteur aut IRD Blight O. auteur aut IRD Briones M. J. I. auteur aut IRD Bonfanti J. auteur aut IRD Brauman Alain auteur aut IRD Brondani Margot auteur aut IRD Sanou I. C. auteur aut IRD Clause J. auteur aut IRD Conti E. auteur aut IRD Cortet J. auteur aut IRD Decaens T. auteur aut IRD Erktan Amandine auteur aut IRD Gerard S. auteur aut IRD Goulpeau A. auteur aut IRD Iannelli M. auteur aut IRD Joimel-Boulanger S. auteur aut IRD Jouquet Pascal auteur aut IRD Le Guillarme N. auteur aut IRD Marsden C. auteur aut IRD Almoyna C. M. auteur aut IRD Mulder C. auteur aut IRD Perrin W. auteur aut IRD Petillon J. auteur aut IRD Pey B. auteur aut IRD Potapov A. M. auteur aut IRD Si-moussi S. auteur aut IRD Thuiller W. auteur aut IRD Trap Jean auteur aut IRD Vergnes A. auteur aut IRD Zaitsev A. auteur aut IRD Capowiez Y. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Classifying organisms has a wide use and a long history in ecology. However, the meaning of a 'group of organisms' and how to group organisms is still the subject of much theoretical and empirical work. Achieving this long quest requires simplifying the complexity of species niches for which relevant morphological, behavioural, biochemical or life-history traits are often used as relevant proxies. Soil fauna is highly diverse and many classifications have been proposed to synthesize both the response of soil organisms to their environment and their effect on soil functioning. Here, we provide a critical overview of the characteristics and limitations of the existing classifications in soil ecology, and propose clarifications and alternatives to current practices. We summarise the similarities and differences in how classifications have been created and used in soil ecology. We propose a harmonization of the current concepts by properly defining 'guilds', 'functional groups' and 'trophic groups' as subcategories of 'ecological groups', with different purposes and distinguishing criteria. Finally, based on these concepts, we suggest a common framework to define classifications based on functional traits that allows a better and unified understanding of changes in soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. specialized Guilds Functional groups Ecological groups Trait -based approach Soil invertebrates 074 020 426 116073 [13 p.] 2022 0016-7061 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086120 10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116073 0016-7061 [F B010086120] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086120 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2022-11/010086120.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2022-11-09 2025-02-24 fdi:010086120 fre