Concept of soil bioindicators for arable soils

Background and Objective

The soil bioindicator concept to be developed will be based on knowledge regarding soil biodiversity and ecosystem services. This concept has to address the following objectives: (i) indication of effects subsequent to past management measures as long-term memory of soil; (ii) diagnosis of the current state through present measures; (iii) prediction for unchanged or changed measures to develop recommendations of practice.

Approach

1) An extensive survey of literature databases for identifying scientific studies on indicators, which are based on knowledge regarding soil biodiversity and ecosystem services.

2) A scientific analysis and evaluation as well as a scientific assessment of soil bioindicators regarding their applicability for agricultural soil use.

3) Further scientific development of soil bioindicators resulting in a new concept, which considers potential land use change in the future.