Selection of biological indicators appropriate for European soil monitoring

D Stone, K Ritz, BS Griffiths, A Orgiazzi, RE Creamer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

78 Citations (Scopus)
163 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The selection of biological indicators for monitoring progress towards policy goals for soil quality should be without bias and in line with individual scenarios of need. Here we describe the prescription of a suite of appropriate indicators for potential application in such monitoring schemes across Europe. We applied a structured framework of assessment and ranking (viz. a 'logical sieve'), building upon published data and a new survey taken from a wide section of the global soil biodiversity research and policy community. The top ten indicators included four indicators of biodiversity (three microbial and one meso-faunal) by various methods of measurement, and three indicators of ecological function (Multiple enzyme assay, Multiple substrate-induced respiration profiling, and 'Functional genes by molecular biological means'). Within the techniques assessed, seven out of the top ten indicators made use of molecular methods.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)12 - 22
JournalApplied Soil Ecology
Volume97
DOIs
Publication statusFirst published - 2016

Bibliographical note

1023321

Keywords

  • Indicators
  • Logical sieve
  • Monitoring
  • Soil biodiversity
  • Soil ecosystem function

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Selection of biological indicators appropriate for European soil monitoring'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this