biostudies-literatureHan LLthe China Scholarship Councilthe National Science Foundation of China6https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8822697biostudies-literatureUnknown17(1)<h4>Background</h4>Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on the planet and drive biogeochemical cycling on a global scale. Our understanding of biogeography of soil viruses and their ecological functions lags significantly behind that of Bacteria and Fungi. Here, a viromic approach was used to investigate the distribution and ecological functions of viruses from 19 soils across China.<h4>Results</h4>Soil viral community were clustered more significantly by geographical location than type of soil (agricultural and natural). Three clusters of viral communities were identified from North, Southeast and Southwest regions; these clusters differentiated using taxonomic composition and were mainly driven by geographic location and climate factors. A total of 972 viral populations (vOTEnvironmental microbiomeDistribution of soil viruses across China and their potential role in phosphorous metabolism.PMC88226974177128941571248Zhang LMSilveira CDu SHe JZCobian Guemes AGRohwer FBi LHan LLYu DTfalseDistribution of soil viruses across China and their potential role in phosphorous metabolism.<h4>Background</h4>Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on the planet and drive biogeochemical cycling on a global scale. Our understanding of biogeography of soil viruses and their ecological functions lags significantly behind that of Bacteria and Fungi. Here, a viromic approach was used to investigate the distribution and ecological functions of viruses from 19 soils across China.<h4>Results</h4>Soil viral community were clustered more significantly by geographical location than type of soil (agricultural and natural). Three clusters of viral communities were identified from North, Southeast and Southwest regions; these clusters differentiated using taxonomic composition and were mainly driven by geographic location and climate factors. A total of 972 viral populations (vOT2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Feb2026-05-30T15:16:01.657Z2025-04-19T22:38:58.761ZS-EPMC88226973513097110.1186/s40793-022-00401-9