Towards Protecting Soil Biodiversity in Europe: The EU Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection

The new EU Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection will include a strong reference to soil biodiversity as a key component of soils that needs preserving. Since available knowledge on soil biodiversity is recognised as being very limited, the main effort of the strategy will be in stimulating new research programmes for the improved understanding of soil biota. Related to this will be the increased development of soil quality indicators taking into account the biological function of soils. A full range of potential bio-indicators for soil health and soil function is available but needs to be fully explored for operational soil monitoring activities. Existing soil biodiversity monitoring initiatives and the first results of on-going European research programmes are presented and reviewed.

MONTANARELLA Luca; 

2008-08-08

Tropical Conservancy

JRC45487