Posts

Evaluation of biodiversity via DNA-extraction from soil and organism samples taken at permanent soil monitoring sites (MetaSOL)

Germany lacks a nationwide and standardised survey of soil organisms, although a comprehensive infrastructure for such a survey is available with approx. 800 permanent soil monitoring sites (Bodendauer­beobachtungsflächen, BDF). Not all federal states conduct their own soil biology surveys on their permanent soil monitoring sites. The most important reason for this is probably the time-consuming […]

Relevance of endocrine disrupting substances and pharmaceuticals for surface waters – Reassessment of occurrence, development of concepts for monitoring and measures to reduce entry into surface waters

The aim of the project was to evaluate the environmental relevance of potential endocrine disrupters in surface waters by comparing measured concentrations of the respective substances to newly proposed environmental quality standards (EQS). As a key action of the  European Commission’s strategy for endocrine disrupting chemicals, 564 potential endocrine disrupters had been listed. Further 88 […]

Ecological function and biodiversity indicators in European soils (EcoFINDERS)

The strategic goal of EcoFINDERS is to provide the EC with tools to design and implement strategies for ensuring sustainable use of soils, including: (1) the characterisation of the biodiversity of European soils, (2) the determination of relations between soil biodiversity, soil functions and ecosystem services, and (3) the design of policy-relevant and cost-effective indicators […]