Summary
This paper, published in Soil Biology and Biochemistry, provides a comprehensive critical review of biological indicators used to assess soil quality, evaluating their scientific basis, sensitivity to land management change, and feasibility for routine use. The authors — a substantial international author group led by Bünemann — systematically assess which biological measures best reflect soil functioning and ecosystem service delivery. The review is widely cited as a reference framework for researchers and practitioners seeking evidence-based approaches to soil biological monitoring.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK conditions, particularly in the context of the UK's Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) and growing policy interest in soil health monitoring; the indicator framework identified could inform the selection of biological metrics for UK farm-level soil assessments.
Key measures
Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen; soil enzyme activities; earthworm abundance and diversity; nematode community indices; fungal-to-bacterial ratios; sensitivity and applicability scores of candidate indicators
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews and evaluates a range of biological soil quality indicators — including microbial biomass, enzyme activity, earthworm abundance, and nematode community indices — assessing their sensitivity, reliability, and practicality for monitoring soil health. It likely proposes a framework or criteria for selecting appropriate indicators across different land use and management contexts.
Topic tags
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