Soil biodiversity baseline survey (BioDive4Soil)

The value of soil biodiversity has long been underestimated, although it plays an essential role in healthy functioning of our ecosystems. Soil organisms contribute to nutrient cycling and carbon storage in soils, mix soil layers and help retain rainwater. However, numerous factors, such as soil contamination, unsustainable land use and climate change, have impacts on soil biodiversity. The research project ‘Soil biodiversity baseline survey’ (BioDive4Soil) has been launched to define good biological soil conditions and to identify deviations with serious consequences.

Over the next six years, a consortium led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology will investigate biodiversity in various soil types with different uses. Alongside to collecting data on earthworms, springtails, mites, nematodes, fungi and bacteria, relevant factors influencing soil biodiversity will be recorded. Capturing the often very high diversity of soil organisms is a scientific challenge. The latest molecular biological methods will be used in addition to traditional methods.

The project BioDive4Soil is funded by the ‘Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity’ (ANK) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).

ECT will participate in the technical and practical conception of the project, the establishment of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sampling, transport, extraction and storage of soil samples, the sampling of soil fauna, the taxonomical identification of earthworms, the determination of microbial biomass and substrate induced respiration (SIR), the derivation of reference values (in particular regarding earthworms) and the development of proposals for the continuation of soil biodiversity monitoring.

For additional information, see the project website and the joint press release of the German Environment Agency, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and the project consortium.